The British Asian Trust, a charitable organization founded by King Charles III, has severed its ties with acclaimed singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan following the circulation of a viral video depicting the artist engaging in physical violence against his employee.
The Trust, renowned for its unwavering stance against abusive behavior, swiftly condemned the actions seen in the video and announced the termination of its association with Khan.
In a statement, a representative from the British Asian Trust explained the decision, saying,
The British Asian Trust has a strict policy towards abusive behavior and has ceased any association with Mr. Khan. We strongly condemn any form of violence whatever the circumstances.
The incident in question took place in Houston, Texas, last year, where Khan was captured on video physically assaulting a band member, using slaps, kicks, and even his shoes. The Trust’s decision to sever ties came after a thorough examination of the troubling footage.
In response to the controversy, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan issued a clarification, asserting that the situation presented in the video differed from the reality of the incident. He explained that the altercation was an internal dispute with a student named Naveed Husnain, and the “bottle” mentioned in the video contained water given by a spiritual leader, which he had misplaced.
Husnain, described as Khan’s student, defended the singer, stating that the video represented an internal matter and that Rahat had apologized to him. He emphasized his teacher’s love and accused unknown individuals of attempting to defame Khan through blackmail.
Established in 2007 by Prince Charles, the British Asian Trust focuses on addressing poverty and promoting community relations. In 2017, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was appointed as an ambassador by Prince Charles, actively participating in initiatives supporting projects in South Asia. The severing of ties with the singer comes as a significant move by the Trust to maintain its commitment to combating violence and promoting a safe and respectful environment.
