Uttarakhand minister apologises to Daler Mehndi; conflict over stage interruption eases

The dispute that erupted at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in New Tehri, Uttarakhand, has reportedly been resolved after Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal called veteran singer Daler Mehndi to apologise. The apology was confirmed by the team of popular singer Mika Singh, who welcomed the gesture and stressed the importance of treating artists with dignity and respect.

According to the statement issued by Mika Singh’s team, the minister’s call was made “in order to apologise to Daler Mehndi paaji for the unfortunate incident.” The statement added that “respecting artists and their dignity is extremely important” and that Daler Mehndi, as a senior artist who has contributed immensely to the music industry, deserves to be treated with respect. The team expressed hope that the matter could now be put behind them and that all parties could move forward with mutual respect and understanding.

The conflict began when Uniyal interrupted Mehndi on stage during the fair and questioned the singer’s conduct in front of the audience. Uniyal alleged that Mehndi was intoxicated, was not performing properly and was lip‑syncing at a religious event held during Navratri. The incident drew criticism from the entertainment industry, with many artists voicing concern over the public treatment of a senior musician and sparking a broader conversation about the respect and dignity performers deserve.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami intervened to ease tensions, and Mika Singh later described the chief minister’s approach as “humble and approachable.” Singh said Dhami had communicated with him warmly and respectfully and had expressed regret on behalf of the cabinet minister. However, Singh clarified that he did not hold Dhami responsible for the incident and that the minister who interrupted the performance needed to address the matter directly with Daler Mehndi.

Dhami has invited both brothers to visit Uttarakhand again and perform in the state, signalling his willingness to restore the relationship with the music community. The apology and the chief minister’s outreach are seen as steps toward mending the strained relations between the government and the entertainment industry in Uttarakhand.