 |
Khan said: "Since
1961, when I was awarded the Padma
Shri, I have raised the issue with
every successive prime minister and
top politicians including Indira Gandhi,
P.V. Narasimha Rao, Rajiv Gandhi,
H.D. Deve Gowda, Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
L.K. Advani and Sonia Gandhi but none
has paid attention to my plea."
He alleged that he had requested that
he be allowed to play at the India
Gate in New Delhi, but was denied
a chance because he is Muslim.
"Desh ne mujhe bahut samman diya
lekin ek baat ka kaphi dukh hai ki
mujey India Gate par bajaney ka mauka
nahin diya kyonki mein musalman hun.
(The country has bestowed on me great
honours, but one thing that upsets
me is they have not allowed me to
play at the India Gate because I am
a Muslim)."
The musician, sitting on his wheel-chair,
said he was deeply touched and overwhelmed
by the journalists for bringing out
a book on him. The couple has arranged
a public felicitation at his home
on his 91st birthday, which falls
on March 21.
"Ustadji hails from Bihar and
so do we. Till date, neither the Bihar
government nor the people of the state
have organised any public function
to pay tribute to the living legend
for his contribution to Indian classical
music," Shivnath Jha told IANS.
On his birthday, Khan will release
the book. The Jhas will gift him Rs.150,000
on the occasion. |
