Subodh Uniyal apologises to Daler Mehndi; Mika Singh calls for mutual respect
Synopsis
Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal's phone apology to Daler Mehndi brings a high-profile artist-dignity row to a close — but not before Chief Minister Dhami had to personally intervene. Mika Singh's team's pointed statement about respecting artists signals the fraternity's wider frustration with how the Navratri fair incident was handled.
Key Takeaways
Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal apologised to singer Daler Mehndi during a telephonic conversation on 25 October 2026 .
Mika Singh 's team released a formal statement welcoming the apology and calling for mutual respect and understanding.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had earlier apologised on the minister's behalf, inviting both brothers to perform in Uttarakhand .
The dispute began when Minister Uniyal allegedly interrupted Daler Mehndi's performance at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair , accusing him of lip-syncing and being under the influence of alcohol.
Both Mika and Daler are reportedly set to visit Uttarakhand for a performance as a gesture of goodwill.
Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal has formally apologised to veteran Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi over a telephonic conversation, days after a controversy erupted over the singer's performance at a religious fair in the state. The development marks a significant de-escalation of a dispute that drew national attention and put the Uttarakhand government on the defensive.
Mika Singh's Team Issues Statement
Singer Mika Singh's team welcomed the apology with a measured but firm statement, underscoring the importance of respecting artists' dignity. The statement read: 'We appreciate that Subodh Uniyal ji has apologised to Daler Mehndi paaji over a telephonic conversation regarding the unfortunate incident. Respecting artists and their dignity is extremely important. Daler paaji is a senior artist who has contributed immensely to the music industry, and every artist deserves to be treated with respect.'
The statement added: 'We hope this matter can now be put behind us and everyone can move forward with mutual respect and understanding.'
Chief Minister Dhami Had Stepped In Earlier
The resolution follows an intervention by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who had earlier apologised on behalf of Minister Uniyal. At a press conference, Mika Singh 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 Chief Minister Dhami has invited both brothers to Uttarakhand, and they plan to visit the state for a performance shortly.
What Triggered the Row
The controversy originated at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair during the Navratri season, where Daler Mehndi was performing. Minister Uniyal allegedly interrupted the performance, claiming the singer was under the influence of alcohol and lip-syncing at what was billed as a religious cultural event. The allegations sparked a fierce backlash from the music fraternity and fans, who rallied behind Daler Mehndi.
Daler Mehndi's Stance
Mika Singh had earlier indicated that Daler Mehndi did not wish to prolong the matter once Chief Minister Dhami had personally reached out and apologised. The family's restrained response — accepting the apology without escalation — appears to have helped the government contain the political fallout ahead of any further reputational damage.
What Happens Next
With Minister Uniyal's direct apology now on record, the immediate political storm appears to have been weathered. Both brothers are reportedly set to visit Uttarakhand for a performance, a symbolic gesture that could signal a full restoration of goodwill between the artists and the state government.
Point of View
And then the minister himself calling — reveals how badly the Uttarakhand government miscalculated the blowback from a politically connected, nationally beloved artist. The 'lip-sync and alcohol' allegation at a Navratri fair was always a high-risk charge to make without airtight evidence. The fraternity's restrained but firm response — accepting the apology while publicly anchoring it in artist dignity — is worth noting: it keeps the pressure on governments in general without burning bridges with Uttarakhand specifically. The optics of a future Mika-Daler performance in the state will serve both sides, but the incident will not be forgotten quickly in industry circles.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Subodh Uniyal apologise to Daler Mehndi?
Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal apologised to singer Daler Mehndi after alleging at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair that the singer was drunk and lip-syncing during a Navratri performance. The allegations triggered a major backlash, prompting first Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and then Uniyal himself to apologise.
What did Mika Singh say about the apology?
Mika Singh's team issued a statement appreciating Minister Uniyal's telephonic apology and expressing hope that the matter could be put behind everyone with mutual respect. Mika had also said that Daler Mehndi did not want the issue to be dragged further once the Chief Minister had personally intervened.
What was the original Kunjapuri fair controversy?
During the Navratri season, Minister Subodh Uniyal allegedly interrupted Daler Mehndi's performance at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair, claiming the singer was under the influence of alcohol and lip-syncing at a religious event. The allegations drew sharp condemnation from fans and the music fraternity.
Has Chief Minister Dhami also apologised?
Yes. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami apologised on behalf of Minister Uniyal before the minister made his own personal telephonic apology to Daler Mehndi. Dhami also invited both Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh to Uttarakhand for a performance.
Will Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh perform in Uttarakhand again?
Yes, according to Mika Singh, both brothers plan to visit Uttarakhand and perform there shortly, following Chief Minister Dhami's personal invitation. The planned performance is seen as a symbolic restoration of goodwill between the artists and the state government.
