Daler Mehndi Row: Minister Subodh Uniyal Denies Apologising and Contradicts Mika Team's Claimਡਾਲਰ ਮਹਿੰਦੀ ਵਿਵਾਦ: ਮੰਤਰੀ ਸੁਬੋਧ ਉਨਿਆਲ ਨੇ ਮਾਫ਼ੀ ਮੰਗਣ ਤੋਂ ਇਨਕਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ, ਮੀਕਾ ਦੀ ਟੀਮ ਦੇ ਦਾਅਵੇ ਨੂੰ ਨਕਾਰਿਆ

The row over the on-stage reprimand of Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi in Uttarakhand has taken a fresh turn. Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal has flatly denied apologising to the singer, contradicting an earlier statement from Mika Singh's team that said Uniyal had apologised over a phone call and that the matter could now rest. Uniyal spoke on Monday night, 26 October 2026, and his denial was reported by The Indian Express and other outlets on Tuesday.

What exactly did Uniyal say?

Asked whether he had apologised, Uniyal said there was no question of him apologising, and asked whether he had committed any crime that he should say sorry for. He said an apology should come from whoever had made the mistake. He also repeated his position from the night of the show: if Daler Mehndi was unwell, the singer should either not have come to perform, or should have told the organisers and the audience about his health in advance. In his account, the audience had gathered with expectations and those expectations were not met.

What had Mika Singh's team claimed?

On 25 October, Mika Singh's team issued a statement saying it appreciated that Uniyal had apologised to Daler Mehndi in a telephone conversation about the unfortunate incident. The statement stressed that respecting artists and their dignity is extremely important, and it expressed the hope that the dispute could be put behind everyone. That claim is now directly contradicted by the minister himself. Neither Mika Singh's nor Daler Mehndi's representatives had reacted to Uniyal's latest statement in the reports published on Tuesday.

How did the Daler Mehndi row begin?

The controversy began on 18 October at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Devi fair in Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, where Daler Mehndi was performing. Uniyal, who was involved with the event, interrupted the performance on stage and accused the veteran singer of being under the influence and of lip-syncing instead of singing live. The clip went viral and drew wide criticism of how a senior artist had been treated in front of a live audience. Mika Singh, Daler's younger brother, said Daler does not drink and had been unwell, and he demanded an on-camera apology from the minister.

Where does Chief Minister Dhami fit in?

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami later spoke to both Mehndi brothers, apologised on the minister's behalf and invited them to visit the state again. That apology from the Chief Minister is not in dispute. What Uniyal is denying is a personal apology by him, whether on the phone or anywhere else. The distinction matters because Mika's public demand was always for Uniyal himself to clarify his remarks and apologise, and on the minister's own words that has not happened.

Did minister Subodh Uniyal apologise to Daler Mehndi?

Uniyal says he did not. Speaking on Monday night, he said there was no question of him apologising and that he had committed no offence requiring an apology, contradicting Mika Singh's team, which had said he apologised by phone.

Who has apologised in the Daler Mehndi row?

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh and apologised on the minister's behalf. Minister Subodh Uniyal now denies making any personal apology.

What happens next in the row?

That depends on whether Mika Singh or Daler Mehndi's representatives respond to the denial. Mika had earlier said the matter could rest after the reported phone apology; with the minister now publicly denying it, the dispute is open again.