Veteran actress and singer Ila Arun has publicly rallied behind Daler Mehndi following a controversial incident at the Kunjapuri Fair in Uttarakhand's Tehri district on 18 October 2026, calling the treatment meted out to the Punjabi music legend 'humiliating and highly condemnable.' Ila said the entire entertainment industry, music fraternity, and the singer's vast fanbase have been left shocked and angry by the episode.

What Ila Arun Said

Speaking to reporters, Ila described Mehndi as far more than a colleague. 'Our film industry, the audience, and the music fraternity are deeply saddened and angry. Daler Sahib is not just a dear friend to us but like a brother. He is a legend. He has played a huge role in popularizing Sufi and Punjabi music,' she said.

She was emphatic that regardless of any concerns about the singer's condition, public humiliation was never the answer. 'What happened to him on stage was humiliating and highly condemnable. There is no justification for such behaviour. Whatever concerns or disagreements the leaders may have had could have been addressed privately, behind the scenes,' she added.

How the Incident Should Have Been Handled

Ila argued that the organisers and sponsors had a straightforward, dignified alternative available to them. 'If there were any concerns, whether from the organizers or the sponsors, his secretary could have been called and spoken to privately. They could have said that perhaps he was not in a condition to perform. It is the responsibility of our leaders to ensure that such situations are handled properly and that everyone is taken care of,' she said.

She acknowledged that an unwell artist should ideally not take the stage, but stressed that the manner of intervention was wholly inappropriate. 'We agree that he should not have gone on stage if he was unwell. But the way the situation was handled was not right,' she noted.

Concern for Mehndi's Health

Ila also raised pointed questions about the potential health consequences of the public confrontation. 'What would have happened if he had suffered a heart attack? He is such a great artist,' she said, underlining that artists are sensitive by nature and that the incident had left her deeply distressed.

Extending a personal message of solidarity, she said: 'I would like to say to Daler ji, don't take it to your heart. Your heart is very big. Your insult is our insult. We will stand with you.'

Background: The Kunjapuri Fair Incident

On 18 October, Daler Mehndi was mid-performance at the Kunjapuri Fair in Tehri when Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister and local MLA Subodh Uniyal allegedly directed him to stop, claiming the singer had appeared on stage under the influence of alcohol at an event dedicated to Goddess Durga. The allegation — and the manner of the public address — immediately ignited a wave of reaction across the entertainment industry.

This comes amid a broader conversation in India about the dignity and rights of performing artists at public and religious festivals. Several artists have since expressed solidarity with Mehndi and called for accountability. The incident has put the spotlight on how festival organisers and political figures interact with invited performers, and whether public stages should ever be used as forums for such confrontations.