New Delhi: The issue of sharp criticism of veteran singer Daler Mehndi by state minister Subodh Uniyal during a program in Uttarakhand is gaining momentum. Many actors from Bollywood have come out in support of Daler Mehndi. Singer Mika Singh has also supported his elder brother and artist Daler Mehndi and demanded an apology from the minister. Meanwhile, the statement of Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal has come to light. He has said that if Daler Mehndi was unwell then he should have told him, my intention is not to hurt him.
What did Minister Subodh Uniyal say on the Daler episode?
Minister Subodh Uniyal said on Wednesday that Daler should have told that he was not well, he should not have come to perform. Subodh said, “The singers were just lip-syncing while music was playing in the background.”
According to Subodh, as a public representative associated with the organizing committee of the event, he faced pressure from those who wanted to question this.
What happened?
There was a cultural program organized by the Uttarakhand government in Narendra Nagar of New Tehri area on Sunday night. During this time, when Mehndi was giving his presentation, Uniyal came on the stage and expressed his displeasure, which led to a controversy.
The minister said that Mehndi was neither able to speak nor walk, so he thought the singer was under the influence of some intoxicant.
Uniyal said, “Daler Mehndi is a big name, so he was invited to the Kunjapuri fair. But during the performance, it became clear that he was not actually singing but was just lip-syncing. Being a local representative and associated with the organizing committee, I was under pressure from people who wanted to raise questions on the matter.”
I have no personal enmity against Mehndi nor do I have any intention of hurting him: Minister
Uniyal told that later he came to know that Mehndi was unwell, hence he was not able to speak. Uniyal said, “We were asked to make the full payment of Rs 35 lakh to the artiste in advance; the hotels were also booked in advance. I have no personal grudge against Mehndi nor do I have any intention of hurting him, but such a big artiste, knowing his condition, should have refused to perform.”