Punjabi singer Maninder Buttar has finally broken his silence on Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal’s alleged disrespectful remarks about him, which surfaced during the recent controversy involving Daler Mehndi. Addressing the minister directly, Buttar expressed deep shock over the public statements.

Earlier, singer Mika Singh had also questioned Uniyal for the language used towards artists on a public platform.He emphasised that Uniyal is of his father's age and urged the minister to release the complete, unedited footage of his past performance in the state to bring out the truth.Speaking during an Instagram live session on Monday, a disappointed Buttar addressed the minister’s claims. "I am a very simple person. I have never intentionally hurt anyone's feelings, never indulged in any kind of misconduct, and have always tried to maintain my dignity and respect for others.

I was genuinely shocked when I came to know that such things had been said about me and my father," he said, requesting the minister — whom he views as a father figure — to clarify the facts.Refuting allegations of any past misbehaviour or violence during his 2019 show in the state, Buttar added, "It was back in 2019, almost seven years ago, when I travelled to Uttarakhand for a show and performed for more than an hour. The Hon'ble Minister even came on stage and honoured me by placing a traditional Pahadi cap on my head.

I performed the entire show wearing that cap. I respectfully request the Hon'ble Minister to upload the complete recording of that show so that everyone can see what actually happened."The singer also defended his professional ethics, stating that he has never performed under the influence of alcohol or any substance."I am a small artist, and I have always tried to keep my family away from controversies.

I have never performed under the influence of alcohol or any intoxicating substance, and I have always taken my work seriously. All I ask is for the complete, unedited recording of that show to be made public," he said.The controversy originally erupted at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in New Tehri, where Minister Subodh Uniyal interrupted Daler Mehndi’s live performance, accusing the veteran singer of lip-syncing and being drunk.

While confronting Mehndi on stage, Uniyal brought up Buttar's name, allegedly claiming that the singer was previously beaten up during his visit to the region.Meanwhile, Daler Mehndi's brother, Mika Singh condemned Uniyal remarks towards Mehndi and Buttar in his X post.He wrote, "The way Minister @SubodhUniyal1 ji spoke on stage was extremely rude and disrespectful. An artist deserves dignity, regardless of the circumstances.

He reportedly said on stage, “Yahan aapse pehle @manindarbuttar pit ke gaya tha. Itna pita tha ki ab uska baap bhi nahi aa sakta yahan se (Before you Maninder Buttar got beaten up here.

He was thrashed so much that even his father would not dare to come here) (sic).""Is this really the language a minister should use for artists? What kind of behaviour is this?

Artists come to perform, entertain people, and honour their commitments. They deserve respect, not humiliation from a public platform," Singh added.The way Minister @SubodhUniyal1 ji spoke on stage was extremely rude and disrespectful.

An artist deserves dignity, regardless of the circumstances. He reportedly said on stage, “Yahan aapse pehle @manindarbuttar pit ke gaya tha.

Itna pita tha ki ab uska baap bhi nahi aa sakta yahan se.” Is this really the language a minister should use for artists? What kind of behaviour is this?

Artists come to perform, entertain people, and honour their commitments. They deserve respect, not humiliation from a public platform.

Subodh Uniyal ji, do you want artists to stop coming to Uttarakhand? Such an attitude can discourage artists from performing in a state that we all love.

Please remember that the people have given you the position you hold today. Public office comes with responsibility, humility, and accountability.

I have immense love and respect for Uttarakhand, but artists deserve respect too. I sincerely hope you will reflect on your words and address this matter with dignity.

Respect is a two-way street.— King Mika Singh (@MikaSingh) October 23, 2026While defending his brother, Singh clarified that Mehndi does not consume alcohol and has been recovering from illness for the past two years. Singh also revealed that Mehndi broke down in tears after the incident and urged Minister Uniyal to issue an apology for damaging the singer's reputation.Although Singh's team claimed Minister Subodh Uniyal had apologised to Daler Mehndi over a phone call, the minister later denied the assertion.

Refuting reports of a reconciliation, Uniyal maintained that if Mehndi was unwell, he ought to have communicated his health condition to the organisers and the gathering prior to taking the stage.Singh or Mehndi have not yet responded to Uniyal's recent statement.- Ends