“Did you pay Rs 35 lakh in cash or by cheque?” singer Mika Singh asked MLA Subodh Uniyal while demanding proof of payment and an apology for accusing his brother, Daler Mehndi, of performing under the influence of alcohol.Uniyal confronted Daler on stage during a Navratri programme at the Kunjapuri Fair in Uttarakhand’s Tehri district on Sunday. Mika has since defended the veteran singer, saying he does not drink and had performed despite being unwell after undergoing major surgery.On Wednesday, Mika thanked singers from Bollywood and Punjab, along with fans, friends, family members and well-wishers, for supporting Daler. “Greetings, everyone!
Thank you so much to all the singers from Bollywood to Punjab, fans, friends, family, and well-wishers for your love and support. My point is simple: Daler Mehndi ji does not drink alcohol, and making such allegations against him is completely wrong,” he wrote on X.Questioning the manner in which Daler was treated, Mika wrote, “If a teacher at a school or college scolds a student, then it turns into a big issue.
Then how is it okay to insult an artiste of such calibre in this way?” Tagging Uniyal, he added, “I believe an apology is due. The person responsible should acknowledge that the allegations about Daler Mehndi ji drinking alcohol were wrong and apologise for the way he was treated.”Sat Sri Akal, everyone!
Thank you so much to all the singers from Bollywood to Punjab, fans, friends, family, and well-wishers for your love and support. My point is simple: Daler Mehndi ji does not drink alcohol, and making such allegations against him is completely wrong. , ?
I believe an apology is due. The person responsible should acknowledge that the allegations about Daler Mehndi ji drinking alcohol were wrong and apologise for the way he was treated.
Cabinet minister @SubodhUniyal1 Thank you, everyone, for standing with Daler Mehndi ji.— King Mika Singh (@MikaSingh) October 21, 2026In another post, Mika thanked the people of Uttarakhand for supporting Daler. “Thank you, Uttarakhand, for standing with Daler Mehndi ji. Artistes have always loved Uttarakhand, but if artistes are disrespected by politicians, why would we come to perform there?” he wrote.
Thank you, Uttarakhand, for standing with Daler Mehndi ji. Artists have always loved Uttarakhand, but if artists are disrespected by politicians, why would we come to perform there?
I sincerely request Hon’ble CM @pushkardhami to look into the behaviour of Cabinet Minister @SubodhUniyal1 and take appropriate action. Artists deserve respect and dignity.— King Mika Singh (@MikaSingh) October 21, 2026He also requested Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to look into Uniyal’s behaviour and take appropriate action.Uniyal had said Daler was offered Rs 35 lakh to perform at the event.
Responding to the claim, Mika asked him to make the payment records public. “Sir, you paid Rs 35 lakh in cash or cheque? If you have the receipts, then please present them in public so people can know the truth.
Thank you!” he wrote.Sir, aapne 35 lakh cash mein diye the ya cheque se? Agar aapke paas payment ki receipts hain, toh please public ke saamne share kijiye, taaki sabko sach pata chal sake.
Thank you! @SubodhUniyal1— King Mika Singh (@MikaSingh) October 21, 2026What happened at the eventDaler was performing as part of a cultural programme organised for the Navratri celebrations when Uniyal walked onto the stage and accused him of being drunk.“There is a Durga Mata programme for Navratri, and you are singing at the event after drinking alcohol, which is not appropriate,” Uniyal said. “We called you so that our people could be entertained. You are making a fool of us.
This is wrong. It’s wrong.
You were called because you have a big name. You can’t even speak, how will you sing?”Speaking to ANI later, Uniyal said, “He is a big artiste.
If a big artiste doesn’t do justice to their art... He seemed disoriented on stage and didn’t seem to be able to even keep standing.
Besides this, he was only lip-syncing to his songs.”He added, “I told him that he is a big artiste and he should do justice to his art; he had been offered Rs 35 lakh to come and perform, but he was not even singing. So, I expressed my resentment.”Clips of the incident subsequently circulated online, prompting reactions that ranged from mockery to criticism from Daler’s fans.
Several celebrities also came out in support of the Bolo Tara Rara singer.Mika says Daler was unwellIn an earlier video statement, Mika said he would quit singing if anyone could prove that Daler consumed alcohol. He said his brother had recently undergone major surgery and was physically unwell but had honoured his professional commitment.Mika also spoke about the demands of touring and said artistes often perform despite exhaustion or illness. “We artistes often say yes when someone asks us.
Even if we have a 104-degree fever, it doesn’t matter. If I am sick and have a show, and I have already committed, then even if the budget is big or small, I will do it.
He must have done the same,” he said.Mika acknowledged that those who paid for the event had the right to question the quality of the performance, but rejected the allegation that Daler was intoxicated.“He recently underwent a major operation. A prominent minister who was there came on stage and scolded him, saying, ‘You are unable to sing, don’t sing, you took money from us.’ Agreed, he was right to say that.
But do not say that he was singing under the influence of alcohol. I challenge anyone: if even one person says, ‘We have seen Daler drinking alcohol,’ I will quit singing,” Mika said.Apart from his live concerts, Daler recently reprised his song Na Na Na Na Na Re in the 2024 comedy film Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, featuring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri in key roles.Daler has yet to issue a statement on the controversy.- Ends