A confrontation between a minister and a singer at a Navratri fair in Uttarakhand has become a wider argument about how artists are treated. Singer Mika Singh has again defended his brother Daler Mehndi, demanding an apology from Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal and asking the state’s chief minister to step in.
Mehndi was performing on Sunday night at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in New Tehri when Uniyal came onto the stage. Reports say that Uniyal is the MLA for Narendra Nagar and Uttarakhand’s Forest Minister. In the viral video, he can be heard saying, “You can’t even speak, so how are you going to sing?” Mehndi tried to interject, asking the minister with folded hands to leave the stage. Daler Mehndi confronted over ‘drunk’ performance by Uttarakhand minister +2
Uniyal later gave a wider explanation to ANI. He said Mehndi appeared disoriented and was lip-syncing, and that he had been offered ₹35 lakh to perform. Media reports have noted that the intoxication allegation has not been independently established. asianetnewsgulfnews
Mika Singh’s Response
Mika first defended his brother on Tuesday, saying Daler does not drink alcohol. On Wednesday he posted on X thanking Bollywood and other singers for their support. He wrote that the allegations against Daler are “completely wrong.” He argued that a teacher scolding a student can become a major issue today, so publicly scolding and insulting a prominent artist in front of everyone cannot be justified. He said Uniyal should admit the allegations were false and apologise for how Daler was treated, and he tagged the minister in the post.
In a second post, Mika thanked the people of Uttarakhand for their support. He added that artists have always loved the state, but that if politicians insult artists, there is little reason to perform there.
He also appealed to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to take note of Uniyal’s behaviour and take appropriate action, saying artists deserve respect and dignity.
The ₹35 Lakh Question
The sharpest part of Mika’s response was about money. On Instagram, he asked Uniyal whether he had paid ₹35 lakh in cash or by cheque. He urged the minister to make any payment receipts public “so everyone can know the truth.”
Why It Matters
The dispute now has three strands: the alcohol allegation, the lip-syncing criticism and the payment claim. Mika’s demand for receipts puts the fee under scrutiny, as the minister himself raised the amount. Who paid the fee, and whether it was paid at all, are factual questions that documents could settle.
The incident also touches a wider sensitivity. Public figures confronting performers on stage at government-backed cultural events is rare, and the viral video has made it a talking point online.
What Comes Next
At the time of writing, there is no confirmation of a response from Uniyal to Mika’s apology demand or from the chief minister’s office. News24 reports that Mehndi has responded by releasing a clip of his conversation with the minister. Bolly Orbit will update this report as developments emerge. news24online
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