Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi faced backlash from Uttarakhand Minister Subodh Uniyal during a live performance, sparking debate over artist accountability and public decorum. Celebrities defended Mehndi, citing his health issues and urging for respectful communication in addressing performance concerns.
PUNJABI SINGER Daler Mehndi’s live stage performance at the historic Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in New Tehri, Uttarakhand, on Sunday night, October 18, 2026, turned into a show of embarrassment when a state cabinet minister reprimanded the singer over his conduct before the public.
During the event, Cabinet Minister and Narendra Nagar MLA Subodh Uniyal took to the stage to express his displeasure with the singer’s performance. A video of the incident went viral on social media on Monday, October, 19, 2026.
It all started over a doubt that the singer was not actually singing but only lip-syncing the audio in the background. Then the Minister stepped onto the stage and reminded the singer the audience is there to hear him and he should maintain the dignity and decorum of the stage and the occasion.
During the programme, the minister objected to the singer's performance and was heard saying, "You cannot even speak, so how are you going to sing?" This led to an awkward situation on stage for a brief time.
In the viral footage, Uniyal further criticized the performance, saying, "We called you so that our people could be entertained. You are making a fool of us."
The minister also alleged that the singer was intoxicated, however it could not be confirmed.
"This is wrong. It's wrong. You have a big name; we should respect that. You were called because you have a big name," Uniyal said.
Later when the minister was reached by the media houses said that, he paid the singer Rs 35 lakh for the performance. And despite being a big artist, he was not doing justice to his art. In a conversation with ANI, Subodh Uniyal explained, "He is a big artist. If a big artist doesn't do justice to their art...He seemed disoriented on stage and didn't seem to be able to even keep standing. Besides this, he was only lip-syncing to his songs. I told him that he is a big artist and he should do justice to his art; he had been offered ₹35 lakh to come and perform, but he was not even singing. So, I expressed my resentment."
Daler Mehndi is among India's most popular Punjabi pop singers and played a significant role in popularising bhangra and Indian pop music. His melodious arsenal includes chartbuster tracks such as ‘Bolo Ta Ra Ra’, ‘Dardi Rab Rab’ and ‘Ho Jayegi Balle Balle’ and ‘Tunac Tunac.’
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As the incident got viral the support poured in for the singer from across the film fraternity. Celebrities like Mika Singh, Anupam Kher, Badshah and Kapil Sharma have come to take the side of the singer.
"If you ever see Daler Mehndi drinking alcohol, I will quit singing – Mika Singh said in a video message posted on his instagram account.
Singer Harshdeep Kaur and Kapil Sharma also showed their support by sharing Mika Singh’s post on their Instagram stories. “Paji went through some serious surgery which people don’t know. All we need is to be a little kinder towards other.” Sharma wrote in his story.
“I've known Daler ji for many years now. I also know that his health hasn't been good for the past few months. Minister ji, you might have an issue with his performance. You might even be upset. But was it necessary to go up on stage and humiliate him like that in front of everyone? The same thing could have been said to him privately, with respect.” Anupam Kher wrote in his post on X.
Singer Sona Mahapatra, on the other hand, asked for accountability. “Legacy doesn't exempt artists from accountability,” she shared in her instagram story.
(Edited by Harsh Pandey)
[Rh/GS/HP]
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