By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has spoken to renowned singer Mika Singh to discuss the controversy surrounding Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi’s performance at a cultural event in Tehri district, stressing that any misunderstanding should be resolved through mutual dialogue and goodwill.
In a post on X on Thursday night, Dhami said the discussion centred on the matter involving Daler Mehndi and emphasised the importance of resolving differences amicably. “Devbhoomi Uttarakhand is the carrier of our great tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’. Here, all artists are always welcomed and respected from the heart,” the Chief Minister said.
The controversy erupted during a cultural evening at the historic Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in the Narendra Nagar area of Tehri district on Sunday night. Cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal reportedly expressed displeasure on stage during Daler Mehndi’s performance, triggering a debate over the treatment of the singer at the event.
Dhami’s intervention comes amid expressions of support for Daler Mehndi from several prominent personalities in the entertainment industry. The Chief Minister’s message underlined the state’s tradition of hospitality and the need to settle the matter through dialogue rather than allow misunderstandings to persist.
Earlier in the day, Dhami said he would hold talks with singer brothers Mika Singh and Daler to resolve the issue.
However, the Chief Minister said since Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal has already clarified his position that there was no bad intention, the controversy should end now.
Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi has received support from several prominent entertainment industry personalities, including rapper Badshah, comedian Kapil Sharma, actor Anupam Kher and singer Mika Singh, following the controversy over the rebuke of Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal during a cultural programme in Tehri district.
Mika Singh, Mehndi’s younger brother, strongly rejected the allegation, saying the veteran singer did not consume alcohol and had recently undergone a serious medical procedure. In a video shared on social media, Mika questioned whether anyone had ever seen his brother drinking during his decades-long career. He attributed Mehndi’s condition during the performance to his health problems and urged people not to spread unverified allegations.
Comedian Kapil Sharma also came out in support of Mehndi, sharing Mika’s video on Instagram. He said the singer had undergone serious surgery, which many people were unaware of, and urged people to be more compassionate.
Rapper Badshah criticised the manner in which the singer was confronted publicly, saying disappointment over a performance could be expressed without humiliating an artist.
“You can express disappointment, but publicly humiliating an artist who has given so much to our music industry is extremely disheartening,” Badshah said in a social media post.
Actor Anupam Kher also defended Mehndi, saying he had known the singer for 25-30 years and regarded him as one of the finest human beings he had met. Kher said he knew of Mehndi’s prolonged health problems through a doctor they both knew.
On the other hand, clarifying his position, Uniyal said Mehndi had been invited because of his stature as a renowned artist but should have informed the organisers beforehand if he was unwell.
Uniyal said he had faced pressure from local representatives and members of the organising committee to question the performance after it became apparent that the singer was not singing live. He added that the organisers had paid the full fee of Rs 35 lakh and made hotel arrangements in advance.