Mika Singh backs Daler Mehndi after MLA’s alcohol claims in viral video, says, 'I'll quit singing if anyone...'

Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi has recently landed in a controversy after Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister and Narendra Nagar MLA Subodh Uniyal criticised his performance at the Maa Kunjapuri Mela in Tehri Garhwal. On Monday (October 19), a video showing the minister confronting the singer on stage went viral on social media. Uniyal questioned Mehndi's ability to perform and alleged that he had consumed alcohol. Recently, singer Mika Singh reacted to these allegations.

What happened at Daler Mehndi's performance?

The controversy began during a cultural programme at the Maa Kunjapuri Mela in Uttarakhand. In the viral video, Uniyal can be seen confronting Mehndi while he is on stage. The minister questioned the singer's performance and said, "Bol toh jaa nahi raha, gaana kya gaoge? (You can’t even speak, so how are you going to sing?)”






Uniyal also questioned why Mehndi had been invited to perform if he was unable to entertain the audience as expected. He pointed out that the singer had been called because of his reputation and accused him of not delivering the performance people had anticipated.

The minister further alleged that Mehndi had consumed alcohol before taking the stage. He also raised concerns about the conduct at an event organised during Navratri, a festival associated with the worship of Goddess Durga.

In the video, Mehndi can be seen requesting Uniyal to leave the stage. The singer addressed the minister respectfully and asked him to step away, with folded hands.

Speaking to news agency ANI after the incident, Uniyal said, “He is a big artist. If a big artist doesn’t do justice to their art… He seemed disoriented on stage and didn’t seem to be able to even keep standing."

The allegations have since triggered a debate online, with Mika Singh stepping in to defend the veteran singer.

Mika Singh defends Daler Mehndi, questions alcohol allegations

In a video statement shared on Instagram, Mika Singh questioned why people were claiming that Mehndi had performed after consuming alcohol. He pointed to the singer's long career and said he had been a prominent name in the music industry for around 30 years.

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A post shared by Mika Singh (@mikasingh)

Mika said, "Have you ever seen a glass of alcohol in his hand, or seen alcohol flowing freely at his birthday parties? No, you have not. Jab aapne dekha hi nahi, toh aapne kaise keh diya unse khada nahi hua jaa raha. Hum artists kayin baar kisi ke kehne par haan kar dete hain ‘yes we will do the show’ Even if we have 104 degree fever, it doesn't matter. If I am sick, and I have a show day after tomorrow, and I have already committed, then even if the budget is big or small, I will do it. Inhone (Daler) bhi aisa hi kiya hoga.”



According to Mika, Mehndi may also have chosen to fulfil his commitment despite not being in the best condition. He added that the singer had recently undergone major surgery, which could have affected his health at the time of the performance.

While defending Mehndi, Mika acknowledged that, "Vahaan pe bahot kamaal ke mantri the, stage pe aaye aur jhaad diya ‘aapse gaaya nahi jaa raha, mat gaao, Humse paise liye’… maan liya, sahi bole. Par yeh mat bolo sharab peeke gaa rahe hain. Maine challenge karta hoon, agar ek banda bol de ‘humne Daler ko sharaab peete huye dekha hai’, toh main gaana hi chhod dunga." (

The statement was Mika's strongest response to the controversy, as he sought to defend Mehndi's reputation against the allegations circulating online.