Key Highlights
- On-stage confrontation: Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal confronted Daler Mehndi during his performance at the Kunjapuri Mela in Tehri.
- The allegation: The minister accused the singer of performing under the influence of alcohol at a Navratri event.
- Decorum questioned: Uniyal stressed the religious sanctity of the occasion.
- Singer’s response: Daler Mehndi requested the minister, with folded hands, to leave the stage.
- Viral clip: The video has spread widely on social media, drawing mixed reactions.
What was meant to be a celebratory evening at the Kunjapuri Mela in Tehri, Uttarakhand, during Navratri turned into a public face-off. A video now viral on social media shows state Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal walking up to Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi on stage and questioning his condition, accusing him of performing under the influence of alcohol.
What the Minister Said
In the clip, Uniyal asks the singer, “Bol toh jaa nahi raha, gaana kya gaoge?” (You can’t even speak properly, so how will you sing?)
He goes on to say, “Itna paisa deke aapko humne bulaya hai. Iss liye bulaya taaki humare logon ko entertain ho. Aap bewakoof bana rahe hai humein. Galat baat hai. You are a big name. Aapko iss liye bulaya gaya tha kyunki aap bada naam hai.” (We invited you after paying so much money, so that our people could be entertained. You are making a fool of us. This is wrong. You are a big name, and that is why you were invited.)
The minister reminded the singer that the event was a Navratri celebration and expressed disappointment over what he saw as a lack of decorum on a religious occasion.
Daler Mehndi’s Response on Stage
Trying to calm the situation, Daler Mehndi responded, “Sir, I request you with folded hands...please leave the stage.”
There has been no detailed public statement from the singer on the allegation so far.
Why the Setting Matters
The Kunjapuri Mela is held during Navratri and carries strong religious significance for devotees in the region. For the organisers and the minister, bringing a star of Daler Mehndi’s stature was meant to add to the celebrations. That expectation is why the moment drew such a sharp reaction.
Social Media Is Divided
The video has sparked a heated debate online. Some users backed the minister, saying a religious event deserves respect and performers must maintain decorum. Others felt that confronting an invited guest publicly on stage was itself inappropriate, and said they felt sorry for the singer. Several fans praised Daler Mehndi’s talent while questioning his performance that night.
Why It Matters
The incident raises two questions at once: the responsibility of artists performing at religious and public events, and the way hosts handle such situations in front of a live audience. With both sides now under public scrutiny, the episode has become more than just a concert gone wrong.
A Legacy Under the Spotlight
Daler Mehndi is one of India’s most iconic pop voices, known for global hits like ‘Bolo Ta Ra Ra’ and ‘Tunak Tunak Tun’. For an artist with a career spanning three decades, a viral moment like this puts his reputation under an unwelcome spotlight.
What Comes Next
Fans and the public are now waiting for Daler Mehndi or his team to share their side of the story.
Key Highlights
- On-stage confrontation: Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal confronted Daler Mehndi during his performance at the Kunjapuri Mela in Tehri.
- The allegation: The minister accused the singer of performing under the influence of alcohol at a Navratri event.
- Decorum questioned: Uniyal stressed the religious sanctity of the occasion.
- Singer’s response: Daler Mehndi requested the minister, with folded hands, to leave the stage.
- Viral clip: The video has spread widely on social media, drawing mixed reactions.
What was meant to be a celebratory evening at the Kunjapuri Mela in Tehri, Uttarakhand, during Navratri turned into a public face-off. A video now viral on social media shows state Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal walking up to Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi on stage and questioning his condition, accusing him of performing under the influence of alcohol.
What the Minister Said
In the clip, Uniyal asks the singer, “Bol toh jaa nahi raha, gaana kya gaoge?” (You can’t even speak properly, so how will you sing?)
He goes on to say, “Itna paisa deke aapko humne bulaya hai. Iss liye bulaya taaki humare logon ko entertain ho. Aap bewakoof bana rahe hai humein. Galat baat hai. You are a big name. Aapko iss liye bulaya gaya tha kyunki aap bada naam hai.” (We invited you after paying so much money, so that our people could be entertained. You are making a fool of us. This is wrong. You are a big name, and that is why you were invited.)
The minister reminded the singer that the event was a Navratri celebration and expressed disappointment over what he saw as a lack of decorum on a religious occasion.
Daler Mehndi’s Response on Stage
Trying to calm the situation, Daler Mehndi responded, “Sir, I request you with folded hands...please leave the stage.”
There has been no detailed public statement from the singer on the allegation so far.
Why the Setting Matters
The Kunjapuri Mela is held during Navratri and carries strong religious significance for devotees in the region. For the organisers and the minister, bringing a star of Daler Mehndi’s stature was meant to add to the celebrations. That expectation is why the moment drew such a sharp reaction.
Social Media Is Divided
The video has sparked a heated debate online. Some users backed the minister, saying a religious event deserves respect and performers must maintain decorum. Others felt that confronting an invited guest publicly on stage was itself inappropriate, and said they felt sorry for the singer. Several fans praised Daler Mehndi’s talent while questioning his performance that night.
Why It Matters
The incident raises two questions at once: the responsibility of artists performing at religious and public events, and the way hosts handle such situations in front of a live audience. With both sides now under public scrutiny, the episode has become more than just a concert gone wrong.
A Legacy Under the Spotlight
Daler Mehndi is one of India’s most iconic pop voices, known for global hits like ‘Bolo Ta Ra Ra’ and ‘Tunak Tunak Tun’. For an artist with a career spanning three decades, a viral moment like this puts his reputation under an unwelcome spotlight.
What Comes Next
Fans and the public are now waiting for Daler Mehndi or his team to share their side of the story.