New Delhi: Singer Mika Singh has criticised Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal over his alleged remarks about singer Maninder Buttar and Daler Mehndi, questioning whether a public representative should speak about an artist in such terms.
The controversy happened at a Navratri event in Uttarakhand where the minister interrupted Daler Mehndi’s performance.
In a post on X, Mika referred to the viral video in which Uniyal was heard making a remark about Buttar, who reportedly performed before Mehndi at the event.
“Yahan aapse pehle Maninder Buttar pit ke gaya tha. Itna pita tha ki ab uska baap bhi nahi aa sakta yahan se,” Mika quoted Uniyal.
Mika questioned whether this was really the language a minister should use for an artist and raised questions about the minister’s behaviour.
“Subodh Uniyal ji, do you want artists to stop coming to Uttarakhand? Such an attitude can discourage artists from performing in a state that we all love,” he added.
What happened at Daler Mehndi’s performance?
The controversy started when singer Daler Mehndi was interrupted mid-performance by Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal on Monday, who accused him of performing under the influence of alcohol.
The 59-year-old singer was performing at the annual Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in Uttarakhand’s Tehri district. A video from the event went viral, showing Uniyal confronting the singer during the cultural programme.
“Bol toh jaa nahi raha, gaana kya gaoge? (You can’t even speak, so how are you going to sing?)” Uniyal said.
Uniyal also questioned why the singer had been invited if he could not perform as expected. Referring to the religious occasion, he said the event was being held during Navratri and was associated with the worship of Goddess Durga.
“We have given so much money and called you for the entertainment of people, and you are fooling us. You have a big name, that’s why you were called here,” he said.
Also Read: Row over Daler Mehndi’s performance, Mika, Badshah and others back the singer
Mika defends his brother, demands an apology
Mika defended Mehndi against the allegations of alcohol consumption. In a video shared on Instagram, he challenged anyone who claimed his brother drank alcohol to prove it.
“If you ever see Daler Mehndi drinking alcohol, I’ll quit singing,” Mika said.
In a separate post, Mika said Uniyal should remember that public office came with responsibility and accountability.
“Hon’ble @pushkardhami CM of Uttarakhand, please look into this matter. We love Uttarakhand and its people, but artists deserve dignity and respect,” Mika wrote on X.
Pushkar Singh Dhami calls for dialogue
In a post on X, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he had spoken to Mika over the phone about the controversy.
Dhami invoked Uttarakhand’s tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava — treating guests as divine — and said artists were welcomed and respected in the state.
“Artists are always welcomed and respected here with open hearts,” he wrote.
“While discussing the matter related to Shri Daler Mehndi, it was said that any kind of misunderstanding should be resolved through dialogue and goodwill,” he added.
(Edited by Maryam Hassan)