By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
A performance by Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi at the historic Kunjapuri Mela in Tehri district in Uttarakhand triggered a controversy on Sunday night, prompting Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal to walk onto the stage and publicly express his displeasure over the quality of the show.
The incident occurred during a cultural evening at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in the Narendranagar area, when discrepancies between Mehndi’s live singing and the background soundtrack reportedly sparked protests among spectators.
Uniyal, the local MLA and state forest and health minister, questioned the singer over the performance, saying the audience had paid to be entertained and deserved better quality. He also stressed the need to maintain the dignity of the event, which is associated with Navratri.
“You are unable to speak properly; how will you sing?” the minister was heard telling Mehndi in a video of the incident that has since gone viral on social media.
The confrontation briefly created an awkward situation on stage and triggered mixed reactions online. Allegations that the singer was under the influence of alcohol have circulated, but they have not been confirmed.
Narendranagar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ashish Ghidiyal said Mehndi performed at the fair and that the programme continued as scheduled after some disruption.