Minister Confronts Daler Mehndi Over Performance at Uttarakhands Kunjapuri Fair

Tehri, October 19 (Daily Kiran) : The Kunjapuri Fair in Tehri, Uttarakhand, took an unexpected turn when state Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal confronted renowned Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi during his performance. The incident occurred on October 19, 2026, amid the Navratri celebrations.

Minister Uniyal expressed his disappointment after noticing that Mehndi appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. He questioned the singer, saying, “If you can’t speak properly, what will you sing?” The minister emphasized the religious significance of the festival and urged Mehndi to maintain decorum.

“You were invited to entertain our people, and we paid you well for this. You are misleading us, which is unacceptable. You are a big name, and that’s why you were invited,” Uniyal stated, making his concerns clear.

In an attempt to defuse the situation, Mehndi pleaded with the minister, saying, “Sir, I humbly request you to please leave the stage.” However, Uniyal insisted that the Navratri festivities deserved the respect they warranted.

The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with users sharing their reactions. One commenter noted, “Daler Mehndi doesn’t seem connected to reality. No organizer would want to disrespect a guest like this. I feel bad for him; his energy isn’t visible at all.”

Another user remarked, “It’s wrong for him to disrespect the stage while under the influence. There should be shame in that. As a Punjabi myself, I support what Subodh Ji is saying.” A third comment added, “Daler is a great singer, but he clearly appears intoxicated and is struggling to speak. Political parties should stop inviting such individuals to ‘religious’ events.”

The video of the incident has since gone viral, sparking a broader discussion about the appropriateness of performances at religious gatherings.