Daler Mehndi row: Subodh Uniyal defends stance despite CM Dhami's apology

The controversy surrounding Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi and Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal at the Kunjapuri Devi Mela in Tehri continues to simmer, as the minister remains unyielding despite efforts to broker peace. The altercation erupted on Monday during Mehndi's live performance, where Uniyal publicly questioned the singer's conduct, accusing him of lip-syncing and being intoxicated on stage.Weighing in on the escalating row and the subsequent demands for an apology, Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal defended his stance during a press conference. He said, "Look, we didn’t even start it. Tell me, if he hadn't been a big artist, would he have been let off the hook? If he wasn't a big artist, why would there be an offer of 36 lakh? Would his mistakes be corrected?"Addressing claims regarding the veteran singer's health during the performance, Uniyal added that artists bear a responsibility to communicate their physical condition beforehand."He was a big artist, but even now, I believe that —look, a big artist — as I said, if someone's health is bad, there are two things. They could have declined, or they could have told the public from the stage, 'I could have been told that my health is not okay, my condition is not good.' Because this is not written on anyone's face whose health is bad. It was not told to us either," the Minister added.When asked about whether he would apologise for his statement, Uniyal said, "Look, fine," before leaving the press event.The incident sparked swift backlash across the music industry, with Daler’s brother and fellow playback singer Mika Singh fiercely defending him and demanding an apology from the minister.Following the public fallout, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stepped in, personally speaking with the Mehndi brothers in a bid to defuse the tensions. Mika, during a press conference, revealed that Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami apologised to him on behalf of MLA Subodh Uniyal, who had accused Mehndi of being drunk on stage.Amid the controversy Daler has refrained from personally commenting or issuing a statement related to the matter.- Ends