Mika Singh says Daler Mehndi controversy closed after CM Dhami's apology
Synopsis
A minister stopping Daler Mehndi's Navratri show over alcohol and lip-sync allegations triggered a rare Bollywood solidarity wave — and now a Chief Ministerial apology. Mika Singh says his brother broke down in tears when he called to thank him, and that CM Dhami's humble outreach has put the matter to rest, with both brothers set to perform in Uttarakhand soon.
Key Takeaways
Mika Singh declared the Uttarakhand controversy involving Daler Mehndi closed on 23 October .
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami personally apologised to both brothers on behalf of state minister Subodh Uniyal .
Daler Mehndi called Mika and asked him not to drag the matter further; he reportedly broke down in tears during the call.
The row began when minister Subodh Uniyal stopped Daler's show at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri fair, alleging alcohol influence and lip-syncing during a Navratri event.
Celebrities including Kapil Sharma , Anupam Kher , Palash Sen , Ila Arun , and Sudesh Lehri had publicly backed Daler.
Both brothers have been invited by CM Dhami to visit Uttarakhand and are expected to perform in the state soon.
Singer Mika Singh has declared the Uttarakhand controversy involving his brother Daler Mehndi effectively closed, following an apology offered by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on behalf of state minister Subodh Uniyal. Mika confirmed on 23 October that Daler himself had called and requested the matter not be prolonged further.
What Mika Singh Said
Speaking at a press conference, Mika said, 'Just this morning, I spoke with my elder brother, dear friend, and someone I hold in high regard, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami. Whenever I visit Dehradun, he meets me with great warmth and is extremely down-to-earth. The way he communicated with Daler Paaji and me was very polite and humble. He offered an apology on behalf of the Minister, and though I told him it wasn't necessary since he made no mistake.'
Mika also revealed that when he called Daler the day after he released a video statement in support, Daler Mehndi broke down in tears. 'When I called Paaji the next day, he broke down crying because he was emotional. On top of that, I can be quite straightforward and tend to scold him for agreeing to things, but before I could even say anything, he started crying like a child,' Mika said.
CM Dhami's Invitation and Planned Visit
Beyond the apology, CM Dhami has reportedly extended a warm invitation to both brothers to visit Uttarakhand, and the duo is expected to travel to the state for a performance soon. Mika expressed that the gesture was deeply appreciated, describing the Chief Minister as 'extremely down-to-earth' and 'humble' in his communication.
What Triggered the Row
Daler Mehndi's performance at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in Uttarakhand turned controversial after state minister Subodh Uniyal stopped the show midway. The minister alleged that Mehndi was under the influence of alcohol and was lip-syncing at the religious Navratri event — allegations that Daler and his supporters have strongly contested.
Notably, this incident sparked a rare display of solidarity from across the entertainment industry. Celebrities including Kapil Sharma, Anupam Kher, Palash Sen, Ila Arun, and Sudesh Lehri publicly backed Daler Mehndi, amplifying pressure on the Uttarakhand government to respond.
Mika on Artist Responsibility and Public Scolding
In a broader reflection on the episode, Mika raised a pointed question about an artist's duty: whether a performer who is unwell should take the stage at all, given their accountability to the audience. He also called out the culture of publicly reprimanding individuals, saying, 'It felt very wrong to see Daler Paaji spoken to in that manner, as reprimanding someone publicly nowadays — whether at school or college — sparks widespread controversy. Even during my 23 years of struggle, no one ever scolded me like that.'
Mika closed his remarks with gratitude: 'I want to express my deepest gratitude to the entire Bollywood industry, the people of Punjab, and all of Daler Paaji's fans for the immense support shown after watching the video where he was scolded.'
With the Chief Minister's apology accepted and both brothers set to visit Uttarakhand, the episode appears headed toward resolution — though questions about ministerial conduct at cultural events are likely to linger in public discourse.
Point of View
With no due process. The apology satisfies the aggrieved parties, but it does not establish any accountability framework for ministerial conduct at government-sponsored cultural events. That gap is likely to be exploited again the next time a politician decides a performer's conduct is objectionable.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Daler Mehndi's show stopped in Uttarakhand?
State minister Subodh Uniyal stopped Daler Mehndi's performance at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair during Navratri, alleging that the singer was under the influence of alcohol and was lip-syncing. Daler Mehndi and his supporters have denied the allegations.
What did CM Pushkar Singh Dhami do to resolve the controversy?
CM Dhami personally called both Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh to offer an apology on behalf of minister Subodh Uniyal. He also invited both brothers to visit Uttarakhand and perform in the state, a gesture Mika described as polite and humble.
How did Mika Singh respond to the controversy?
Mika Singh released a video statement publicly defending his brother and then held a press conference on 23 October declaring the matter closed after CM Dhami's apology. He said Daler called him and asked him not to let the issue be dragged further.
Which celebrities supported Daler Mehndi during the row?
Several entertainment personalities publicly backed Daler Mehndi, including Mika Singh, Kapil Sharma, Anupam Kher, Palash Sen, Ila Arun, and Sudesh Lehri. Their support amplified public pressure on the Uttarakhand government to respond.
Will Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh perform in Uttarakhand again?
Yes. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has reportedly invited both brothers to Uttarakhand, and the two are expected to visit the state for a performance in the near future, according to Mika Singh.
