Dehradun: Uttarakhand cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal has denied apologising to Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi over their public dispute, contradicting an earlier claim by singer Mika Singh’s team that the minister had apologised over the phone.
Speaking on Monday night, Uniyal said there was no question of him apologising, adding that he had not committed any offence that warranted an apology. The conflicting statements have added a new twist to the controversy.
Earlier, Mika Singh’s team issued a statement claiming that Uniyal had apologised to Daler Mehndi during a phone conversation. The team welcomed the reported gesture and stressed the importance of respecting artists’ dignity. It also expressed hope that the dispute would be put behind them and all parties would move forward with mutual respect.
The controversy began on October 18 during the Kunjapuri fair in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district, where Daler Mehndi was performing. Uniyal interrupted the performance and accused the singer of being under the influence of alcohol and moving his lips instead of singing.
After a video of the incident went viral, Mika Singh publicly supported his elder brother and demanded an apology from the minister. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also spoke to the two singers and invited them to visit the state.
Rejecting reports that he had apologised, Uniyal expressed displeasure over the claims. He argued that if Daler Mehndi had been unwell, the singer should either have cancelled the performance or informed the organisers and audience about his health beforehand.
