Row erupts as Uttarakhand minister confronts Daler Mehndi at Kunjapuri fair

During the Kunjapuri Fair in Uttarakhand, singer Daler Mehndi sparked controversy when Minister Subodh Uniyal accused him of performing under alcohol's influence. Highlighting the religious importance of Navratri, Uniyal stressed the need for decorum. In response, Mehndi asked the minister to step off the stage, igniting discussions about the appropriateness of entertainment at such sacred occasions.

During the event, Cabinet Minister and Narendra Nagar MLA Subodh Uniyal took to the stage to express his displeasure with Daler Mehndi’s performance

A live performance by popular Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi at the Kunjapuri Mela in Tehri, Uttarakhand, took an unexpected turn when state Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal walked onto the stage and confronted the singer during the programme.According to reports, the cultural event was recently organised during Navratri. Uniyal reportedly objected to the singer’s conduct and stressed that the religious occasion called for respect and decorum.Addressing Mehndi in a stern tone in Hindi, the minister said, “You can’t even speak properly, so how will you sing?”Mika Singh Questions Mumbai's Safety After Tiger Shroff Firing Incident, Demands Strict Action: 'No One Should Have To Live In Fear' - VIDEO "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," the minister is heard saying in the video. Subodh Uniyal's video goes viral View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amiijordan (@amiijordan) The minister also reminded the singer that the event was linked to the worship of Goddess Durga and should be treated with the respect it deserved. His intervention disrupted the ongoing concert and led to a commotion at the venue.The now-viral video from the event shows Daler Mehndi folding his hands and requesting the minister to step down from the stage after he reprimanded him. However, the singer’s exact words in the video are unclear.A video from the Kunjapuri Mela in Narendranagar, Tehri Garhwal, is drawing attention, showing Cabinet Minister and local MLA Subodh Uniyal objecting on stage during a performance by Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi. In the video, Uniyal can be heard telling him, “Bol toh jaa nahi raha, gaana kya gaoge?”— Kumaon Jagran (@KumaonJagran) October 19, 2026According to local residents, Uniyal stepped in because Mehndi was allegedly performing under the influence of alcohol. However, the allegation remains unverified, with no independent or official confirmation available to establish whether the singer was intoxicated.It is also said that the singer was lip-syncing to his songs and not singing himself. Mehdi has not reacted to the incident yet.