Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday said he had spoken to Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi amid the controversy over allegations that the singer was under the influence of alcohol during a Navratri performance in Tehri. The Chief Minister called for mutual dialogue, harmony and positivity to bring the dispute to an end.
In a post on X, Dhami said he had contacted the singer to enquire about his well-being and discussed the recent incident. He also highlighted Uttarakhand’s tradition of welcoming guests and respecting artists.
The Chief Minister said the state’s rich folk culture and the principle of Atithi Devo Bhava — treating guests as God — remained central to its identity. He added that artists and cultural performers had always been welcomed and honoured in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.
Mika Singh Seeks Apology from BJP MLA
Dhami’s statement came hours after Mika Singh, Daler Mehndi’s younger brother, urged the Chief Minister to ask BJP MLA Subodh Uniyal to issue a public video apology over his remarks against the singer.
Mika described the allegations as false and accused the MLA of disrespecting his brother. He also said that the issue concerned the dignity of the wider artist community.
However, Dhami did not directly address Mika’s demand for an apology or mention Uniyal by name in his post.
What Is the Daler Mehndi Controversy?
The dispute began after a video of Mehndi’s performance at a Navratri event in Tehri went viral on social media earlier this week.
In the video, Uniyal is seen interrupting the singer’s performance and questioning whether he was fit to perform, alleging that he was under the influence of alcohol. The MLA also reportedly referred to a payment of ₹35 lakh for the performance and questioned the singer’s conduct during the religious festival.
The allegations sparked a wider debate, with supporters of Mehndi demanding an apology and calling for greater respect for artists.
Daler Mehndi has not publicly responded to the controversy, according to the supplied report.
Celebrities Extend Support to Daler Mehndi
Several members of the entertainment industry have expressed support for the singer following the incident. Among them are Anupam Kher, Badshah, Ila Arun, Kapil Sharma, Shaan, Rajpal Yadav, Alisha Chinai and Palaash Sen.
Mika Singh has also released videos on social media urging the Uttarakhand government to intervene and seek an apology from the BJP MLA. He was scheduled to address the issue at a press conference later on Friday.
With Dhami now calling for dialogue and reconciliation, attention remains on whether the dispute will be resolved and whether a public apology will follow.
The allegations concerning Mehndi’s condition during the performance remain contested, and the supplied report does not establish them independently.