Uttarakhand Minister Denies Apologising to Daler Mehndi

Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal has denied apologising to singer Daler Mehndi after an onstage confrontation, contradicting a statement from Mika Singh’s team that the minister had apologised by phone. The competing accounts leave it unclear whether a call or apology took place. In an interview with Satya Vani, Uniyal said there was no question of him apologising and asked whether he had done anything wrong. He also disputed reports that he had expressed regret, saying Mehndi should have told the audience if he was unwell or not performed. Mika Singh’s team said Uniyal apologised to Mehndi during a telephone conversation about the incident. The team welcomed the reported apology and said artists should be treated with respect. Uniyal rejected that account. The reports do not provide a recording of the call or an account from Mehndi confirming what was said. The dispute followed an interruption during Mehndi’s performance at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in Uttarakhand. A video circulated online showing Uniyal addressing the singer onstage and questioning whether he was under the influence of alcohol. The incident drew public attention, and Mika...