Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday urged all sides to let the controversy around singer Daler Mehndi rest. He said Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal had explained his position and never meant to hurt anyone.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami’s reaction to the controversy
According to the ANI report, speaking to the media, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami pointed to the minister’s recent remarks and said Subodh Uniyal had admitted that he did not know about the singer’s poor health. He added that the minister had already come forward to address the matter.“These are all distinguished artists. Uttarakhand is a land that honours writers, artists, and scholars alike,” the Chief Minister said, stressing the state’s tradition of respecting creative people and cultural figures.He also said, “Regarding the situation that unfolded due to public pressure at the time, I believe that since the Minister has now issued a statement himself, he has clarified that he had no such intention. Therefore, I think everyone should now consider this matter closed.”
CM speaks to Mika Singh
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said Pushkar Singh Dhami also spoke over the phone with Mehndi’s brother, singer Mika Singh. During the call, he said any misunderstanding or difference of opinion should be sorted out through talks in a friendly atmosphere, with mutual respect.As per the CMO, Dhami said the state has always followed the spirit of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, which reflects its tradition of welcoming and honouring guests. The CMO added, “Devbhoomi Uttarakhand wholeheartedly welcomes and respects artists from across the country and the world, and the state government remains ever committed to honouring art, culture, and artists.”
What led to the row
The controversy started when Uniyal interrupted Mehndi during a performance at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair at Narendra Nagar in the New Tehri area and questioned his singing. A video of the incident went viral, drawing many reactions online.In the clip, the minister can be heard questioning the singer’s ability to perform and saying he had been invited to entertain the audience. He also told Daler Mehndi to respect his reputation as a well-known artist.After the incident, some social media posts claimed that Mehndi was intoxicated and struggling to sing. These claims have not been independently verified.
Uniyal’s explanation and support for Mehndi
Subodh Uniyal later told ANI that he questioned the singer because he believed Mehndi was lip-syncing and not singing live. The minister also claimed that the singer had been paid Rs 35 lakh for the show and said he was unhappy with how it was conducted.Several singers, including Mika Singh and Badshah, have come out in support of Mehndi after the incident.
