What happened between Daler Mehndi and Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal at the Kunjapuri Mela?

Uniyal interrupted Mehndi’s performance and criticised his conduct, alleging that he seemed disoriented and was lip-syncing. He also suggested Mehndi was intoxicated, an allegation that has not been verified.

Why did Mika Singh demand an apology from Subodh Uniyal?

Mika said the minister’s remarks and public reprimand were rude and humiliating, and disputed the allegation that Daler Mehndi had been drinking. He said artists deserve respect and asked Uniyal to apologise.

What did Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami say about the Daler Mehndi row?

Dhami spoke to Mika Singh and said misunderstandings should be resolved through dialogue and in a cordial atmosphere. He also said artists are welcome and respected in Uttarakhand.

Daler Mehndi event row: Mika Singh asks minister Subodh Uniyal if he wants artists to stop coming to Uttarakhand

The controversy centres on a public confrontation between Uttarakhand cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal and singer Daler Mehndi during a Navratri event.

Published on: Oct 23, 2026, 15:42:47 IST

By Santanu Das

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Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi made headlines after Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal reprimanded him on stage during a cultural evening and questioned his conduct, alleging that he was intoxicated. Mika Singh has called on Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal to apologise. In a new post on X, Mika asked the state cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal if he wants artists to not come to Uttarakhand.

Daler Mehndi has received support from fellow singer Mika Singh after the event.

What Mika Singh shared

Mika pointed out that the minister has still not apologised for his comments on a public platform. He went on to add in the caption, “The way Minister @SubodhUniyal1 ji spoke on stage was extremely rude and disrespectful. An artist deserves dignity, regardless of the circumstances. He reportedly said on stage, “Yahan aapse pehle @manindarbuttar pit ke gaya tha. Itna pita tha ki ab uska baap bhi nahi aa sakta yahan se (Before you, someone got beaten up here and in such a way that even his father cannot come here again).””

Mika added, "Is this really the language a minister should use for artists? What kind of behaviour is this? Artists come to perform, entertain people, and honour their commitments. They deserve respect, not humiliation from a public platform. Subodh Uniyal ji, do you want artists to stop coming to Uttarakhand? Such an attitude can discourage artists from performing in a state that we all love.

Deep Dive

Ask HT

Please remember that the people have given you the position you hold today. Public office comes with responsibility, humility, and accountability. I have immense love and respect for Uttarakhand, but artists deserve respect too. I sincerely hope you will reflect on your words and address this matter with dignity."

What is the context

Singer Daler Mehndi performed at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in New Tehri, Uttarakhand, on Sunday night. He was interrupted mid-performance and reprimanded on stage by Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal. The minister criticised the singer's conduct and said, “You cannot even speak, so how are you going to sing?”, hinting that the singer was intoxicated. The clip subsequently circulated widely on social media.

Later, while speaking to ANI, Subodh explained why he had reprimanded Daler publicly. He said, “He is a big artist. If a big artist doesn't do justice to their art... He seemed disoriented on stage and didn't seem to be able to even keep standing. Besides this, he was only lip-syncing to his songs. I told him that he is a big artist and he should do justice to his art; he had been offered ₹35 lakh to come and perform, but he was not even singing. So, I expressed my resentment."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Santanu Das
Santanu Das is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over 5 years of experience, writing on films, pop culture and film festivals. He has a keen interest in writing about South Asian independent films and has covered several film festivals, including Sundance and CPH: Docx. He also brings a sharp perspective to the monthly column called The Fault in Our Stars, where he writes about a recent film/series and what stops the ‘good’ from becoming ‘great’. A gold medalist from Banaras Hindu University, Santanu completed his postgraduate studies in English from Jadavpur University. He is also a Rotten Tomatoes-certified film critic. When not watching films or speaking to celebrities, Santanu can be found reading a book. Some of his favourite films are Aparajito, Ponyo and The Double Life of Veronique. His favourite books include The Corrections, The God of Small Things and A Room of One's Own. Santanu continues to write passionately about films and celebrity culture. He brings a relatable, as well as critically informed, lens to entertainment and culture for a wide audience. Find him on LinkedIn: santanudasfilm Instagram: @santupechaRead More

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