The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Saturday expressed disappointment over the recent episode of Shah Rukh Khan’s detention at the Los Angeles Airport in the United States and sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was denied visa by the United Kingdom.
Speaking to ANI, NCP leader Majeed Memon appealed to the US, UK and other countries that only because somebody’s name is Muslim, they should not jump to the conclusion that the person dangerous, and, thereafter insult, humiliate and harass him.
“It is very distressing that after Shah Rukh Khan was detained and harassed at Los Angeles airport, only because his name happens to be Khan. He made a movie some time back ‘My Name is Khan’. I think he should make a band and wear on his chest saying ‘My Name is Khan and I am not a terrorist.’ US has done it earlier also at the New York Airport,” Memon said.
“Now we are sorry to find that Amjad Ali Khan has been denied visa by UK because his name happens to be Khan. This is very unfortunate. I appreciate that both UK and US are very careful in the matters of security.
No doubt, we don’t dispute that. But only because somebody’s name is Khan, people are being harassed; I think it is not fair. It is sending a very wrong message. I appeal to US, UK and other countries that only because somebody’s name is Muslim, don’t jump to the conclusion that he is dangerous. So, please don’t insult, humiliate and harass him,” he added.
Amjad Ali Khan’s visa application to the United Kingdom was on Friday rejected by the British High Commission in Delhi, hours after Shah Rukh Khan was detained at the Los Angeles Airport by US immigration department.
Amjad Ali Khan had applied for a visa to perform at the Royal Festival Hall in September in London.
Earlier, the US Department of State apologised for the move offered a clarification, saying that even ‘American diplomats’ were pulled over security issues.
“Sorry for the hassle at the airport, @iamsrk – even American diplomats get pulled for extra screening!,” Nisha Biswal, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, US Department of State said in a tweet.
