A major controversy erupted in Uttarakhand after a cultural event witnessed a tense face-off between state government minister Subodh Uniyal and veteran singer Daler Mehndi. The incident took place during a live performance by Daler Mehndi in New Tehri on Sunday, when minister Uniyal walked up to the stage and publicly questioned the singer in a loud voice, asking if he had consumed alcohol. A video of the altercation quickly went viral across various social media platforms, triggering widespread criticism and debate. Several artists and industry figures, most notably Daler Mehndi's brother and popular singer Mika Singh, strongly condemned the minister's behavior and demanded an unconditional public apology. Amid mounting pressure from various quarters, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has finally broken his silence and addressed the entire episode.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami Clarifies the Stance
Addressing an event in Dehradun, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the minister himself clarified on the previous day that he was completely unaware of Daler Mehndi's poor health condition at the time. The Chief Minister noted कि the minister came forward on his own to present his side of the story, emphasizing that the soil of Uttarakhand deeply respects writers, artists, and scholars alike. He added that given the specific circumstances and the pressure from the crowd present at that moment, now that the minister has issued a statement clarifying he had no ill intentions, everyone should let the matter rest and bring the controversy to a close.
Mika Singh Criticizes the Minister's Rude Behavior
Following the Chief Minister's remarks, singer Mika Singh released a sharp statement expressing deep displeasure over the incident. Mika pointed out that even in schools today, immense caution and restraint are exercised while reprimanding young children, questioning whether it was appropriate for a government minister to summon Daler Mehndi on stage and speak to him in such a harsh and rude manner. He asked where the justice was in treating a renowned artist this way. Addressing the Chief Minister directly, Mika stated that while they respect him and hold a deep affection for Uttarakhand, such mistreatment of an artist is completely unacceptable. He pointed out that Daler Mehndi had traveled to fulfill his professional commitment and went on to perform continuously for one hour and thirty minutes. According to Mika, Sunanda Sharma was also originally booked for the event but could not make it due to unforeseen reasons, leaving Daler to shoulder the responsibility and entertain the audience single-handedly.
An Appeal to Respect Artists and Dignity
Continuing his appeal, Mika Singh emphasized that artists are human beings too and deserve basic dignity and respect. He noted that if there was any grievance, it could have been communicated in a polite and respectful manner instead of a public humiliation. Turning to the Chief Minister, Mika remarked that he considers him like an elder brother and a sensible leader, expressing hope that the administration will ensure no artist's self-respect is ever compromised in the future. He reiterated that while they love Uttarakhand, the honor of performing artists is equally paramount. Prior to this, Mika Singh had publicly defended his brother, revealing that Daler Mehndi had not been keeping well recently and had undergone major surgery not long ago.
CM Dhami Connects with Mika Singh Over Phone
In a bid to defuse the escalating tensions, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally reached out to singer Mika Singh via a telephone call. Taking to the social media platform X, the Chief Minister shared an update stating that he had a telephonic conversation with the renowned singer earlier in the day. Discussing the controversy surrounding Daler Mehndi, the CM noted that any misunderstandings should always be resolved through mutual dialogue, communication, and cordiality. He reaffirmed that the land of Uttarakhand is the custodian of the great Indian tradition of 'Atithi Devo Bhava', where all visiting artists are always welcomed and honored from the bottom of the heart.
