Daler Mehndi row: Mika Singh team welcomes minister’s apology

Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal has reportedly apologised to Daler Mehndi over the telephone, days after interrupting the singer’s performance at the Kunjapuri Devi Mela and publicly questioning his condition. The call follows a public defence from Mika Singh and an earlier apology from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Mika’s team has now responded to close the chapter.

In a statement, Mika Singh’s team said it appreciated the minister reaching out and added: “Respecting artists and their dignity is extremely important.” The team also said it hoped everyone involved could move forward with “mutual respect and understanding.”

How the stage row escalated

The controversy began on October 18 during the Kunjapuri Devi Mela in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Uniyal walked into Daler Mehndi’s set, halted the show and questioned the singer in front of the audience. According to the report, he alleged that Daler was under the influence of alcohol and lip-syncing.

Mika Singh quickly came to his elder brother’s defence. He said Daler does not consume alcohol and had been unwell during the performance. Mika also demanded respect for senior artists and called for an apology.

After the incident drew criticism, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reportedly contacted the brothers and apologised on the minister’s behalf. Mika praised Dhami for the warmth and humility shown in that conversation, saying the chief minister did not need to apologise for something he had not done himself. Dhami also invited both brothers to return to Uttarakhand.

The timeline of the dispute

• October 18: Uniyal interrupts Daler Mehndi’s set at the Kunjapuri Devi Mela and questions the singer publicly.
• After the mela: Mika Singh defends Daler, saying he was unwell and does not drink; CM Dhami calls to apologise on the minister’s behalf.
• Now: Uniyal reportedly offers a phone apology, and Mika’s team welcomes it.

Why this matters for the films and music world

For Hindi film and music fans, this row is about more than one interrupted concert. Live shows and religious melas are often where performers connect directly with audiences, and the way an artist is treated in that setting can shape the public’s memory of the event. Daler Mehndi has spent years as a familiar voice in Indian music, and his brother’s response framed the argument around dignity rather than simply denying the allegations.

The resolution also shows how quickly a controversy can settle when a senior authority intervenes. The chief minister’s call, followed by the minister’s reported phone apology, gave both sides a face-saving route out of the row. In the end, the team asked for respect, received an apology, and now wants the story to end.

What comes next

Mika Singh’s team has made it clear that Daler Mehndi does not want to prolong the controversy. The chief minister’s invitation to Uttarakhand may eventually turn the episode into a goodwill moment, but for now the public signal is one of reconciliation. Whether the row stays closed depends on how carefully all sides choose their words the next time a performer and a public figure share a stage.

Source: India Today