New Delhi: The ongoing controversy surrounding Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi and a cabinet minister in Uttarakhand continues to escalate rapidly. Following a heated onstage altercation during a Navratri cultural event, numerous celebrities and prominent figures have come forward to back the veteran singer. Joining the chorus of condemnation, renowned author and columnist Shobhaa De has now voiced her strong disapproval of the incident. She took to social media to question the minister's conduct and explicitly demanded a public apology from him.
Shobhaa De Slams Minister's Conduct
Shobhaa De shared a newspaper clipping on her official Instagram account detailing the onstage dispute between Daler Mehndi and Minister Subodh Uniyal. Alongside the clipping, she wrote that it is disgraceful for any minister to behave in such a manner publicly. Addressing Subodh Uniyal directly, she stated that he owes Daler Mehndi an apology. Praising the singer as a favorite artist of many, De noted that his fans across the globe are deeply upset over this unfortunate event. She added that Daler Mehndi was unwell at the time of the event, yet he still made the effort to attend and perform. According to her, artists do this to honor their professional commitments, raising the pertinent question of who holds the right to humiliate an artist in such a disgraceful fashion.
Outrage Extends Across Social Media Platforms
Beyond her Instagram post, Shobhaa De also expressed her deep resentment on her X account. She stated that no beloved artist or performer should ever be subjected to such treatment, calling the entire episode highly derogatory. She reiterated her demand for a formal apology from Minister Subodh Uniyal. The controversy originally erupted during the Siddhapeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, where Daler Mehndi was performing live on stage. In the middle of the performance, Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal walked up to the stage and publicly questioned the singer's performance style.
Minister Allegations and Industry Backlash
The minister accused Daler Mehndi of being in an inebriated state and lip-syncing instead of singing live. A video of this confrontation quickly went viral across various social media platforms, triggering a massive uproar. However, the allegation regarding the singer being intoxicated remains highly controversial and has not been independently verified. In the wake of this incident, a slew of prominent artists including Mika Singh, Kapil Sharma, Badshah, and Rajpal Yadav have rallied behind Daler Mehndi. They highlighted his poor health at the time and questioned the unacceptable behavior he faced on a public platform. Mika Singh had previously also demanded a public apology from the minister, while the lack of independent verification surrounding the intoxication claims continues to fuel intense debate.
