Singers Push Back After Uttarakhand Minister Alleges They Performed Drunk
Punjabi singer Maninder Buttar has demanded proof after Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal claimed he performed drunk at a 2019 state event, days after a similar claim against Daler Mehndi was also denied.
Current Summary
Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal is facing public pushback after alleging, during a state cultural event last week, that veteran singer Daler Mehndi appeared drunk and could not sing properly. During that exchange, Uniyal also claimed Punjabi singer Maninder Buttar had been drunk during an earlier 2019 performance in Uttarakhand and was beaten up afterward. Daler Mehndi's brother Mika Singh had already refuted the allegation against Mehndi. Buttar has also denied Uniyal's claim in a social media video, saying he performed for more than an hour at the 2019 event without incident and asking the minister to release the complete recording of that show. Reports subsequently circulated that Uniyal had phoned Mehndi and apologised, ending the matter, but the minister has denied this. Speaking to media in Gairsain during the ongoing Assembly session, Uniyal said "the question of apologising does not arise" and that he had not spoken to anyone about the issue, maintaining that Mehndi should have informed organisers if he was unwell.
What We Know
- Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal publicly alleged at a state cultural event last week that Daler Mehndi was performing drunk.
- Uniyal also claimed singer Maninder Buttar had been drunk during a 2019 performance in Uttarakhand and was beaten up afterward.
- Mika Singh, Daler Mehndi's brother, had already refuted the claim against Mehndi.
- Maninder Buttar denied the allegation in a social media video posted Monday, asking Uniyal to release the full recording of the 2019 show.
- Buttar said he performed for more than an hour at the 2019 event without incident.
- Uniyal has denied reports that he phoned Daler Mehndi to apologise, saying 'the question of apologising does not arise'.
What Is Still Unclear
- Whether Uniyal will respond to Buttar's demand or release any recording.
- Whether either singer intends further legal or public action.
What Changed
- 27 Oct, 10:01 amUttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal has denied reports, which circulated for two days, that he had phoned Daler Mehndi and apologised over the dispute. Speaking to media in Gairsain during the Assembly session, Uniyal said, "Why should I apologise?" and reiterated he had not spoken to anyone about the matter. He said Mehndi should have informed organisers if unwell and that Mehndi, a renowned artist, had been invited to the event out of respect.
- 27 Oct, 06:21 amSignal detected: Singers Push Back After Uttarakhand Minister Alleges They Performed Drunk