NEW DELHI: Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal on Wednesday defended himself over reprimanding singer Daler Mehndi on stage during an event, saying the artiste should not have performed if he was unwell.Speaking to news agency PTI, Uniyal said Mehndi was only lip-syncing during the event and that, as a public representative associated with the event’s organising committee, he came under pressure from people who wanted the issue to be questioned.“Daler Mehndi, being a big name, was invited to the Kunjapuri Fair. But during the performance, it became apparent that he was only lip-syncing and not singing. I, being a local representative and also associated with the organising committee, felt the pressure from people who wanted this to be questioned,” Uniyal said.“Mehndi was not able to speak or walk. At that point, I thought he was under the influence of some substance. I don’t know what, because a medical examination was not conducted,” he added.Uniyal said he later learnt that Mehndi was unable to speak because he was unwell.“Being such a big artiste, he should have informed us about this. This fact was revealed only when he was interrupted. If he was unwell, he should not have come to perform,” the minister said.“We were asked to make full payment of Rs 35 lakh in advance to the artiste; hotels were also booked in advance. I have nothing personal against Mehndi nor any intention to hurt him, but such a big artiste, knowing his condition, should have refused to perform,” Uniyal said.“I stand by the fact that if an artiste’s respect must stay intact, they should also work accordingly. I did not use any foul language while speaking to Mehndi,” he added.The controversy erupted after Uniyal went on stage and expressed displeasure while Mehndi was performing at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair, a cultural event organised by the Uttarakhand government at Narendra Nagar in the New Tehri area on Sunday night.Congress demands minister’s apologyThe controversy also took on political overtones, with Congress demanding that Uniyal publicly apologise for the way the episode was handled.“The treatment meted out to Mehndi is deeply unfortunate and runs counter to Uttarakhand’s glorious tradition of hospitality,” Amarjit Singh, general secretary of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee, said.Artists rally behind MehndiMeanwhile, several people from the entertainment industry, including actor Anupam Kher, stand-up comedian Vir Das and singers Shaan, Palash Sen, Gurdas Maan and Alisha Chinai, came out in support of Mehndi. They said the artiste, who has been singing for three decades, was unwell, did not drink and should have been treated with greater respect.“Couple of days ago, I saw a video in which Daler Mehndi ji was singing on stage and some minister got up and spoke to him insultingly. I wasn’t there so I don’t know but I’ve known Daler ji for 25 to 30 years. I know that he does not drink and he is one of the finest human beings that I have met. I personally know that he has not been keeping well for two-three years,” Kher said in a video on X on Wednesday.“Nobody should speak to anybody like this and that also on a public forum. This is not fair. To publicly accuse someone like this is wrong. Daler ji I am so sorry,” he added.
Comedian Vir Das said his first international show was in Dubai at Mehndi’s show.“So not just music people, comedy people also have a lot to owe to this great man and this great artist. And he was humble, nice, supportive and amazing. Daler paaji, I hope you feel well in your corner. Thank you from a very young comedian,” Das said on Instagram.Mehndi’s brother, singer Mika Singh, confirmed that the artiste had undergone major surgery and challenged anyone to prove that his elder brother had ever consumed alcohol. Although there has been speculation about Mehndi’s health, the nature of his illness and surgery remains unclear.