Dhami calls Mika Singh and asks for the Daler Mehndi row to be 'considered closed'

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday tried to put an end to the row over singer Daler Mehndi’s performance at a fair in the hills, saying it was time for everyone to move on.

The trouble began at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in Narendra Nagar, near New Tehri, where Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal interrupted Mehndi on stage. In a video that went viral, Uniyal is heard questioning whether Mehndi could perform, reminding him that he had been invited to entertain the audience and telling him to respect his reputation as a well-known artist.

Uniyal later said he believed Mehndi had been lip-syncing rather than singing live. He said the singer had been paid ₹35 lakh and that he was unhappy with how the show was run.

The episode drew sharp reactions from the music world. Several singers, including Mika Singh, Mehndi’s brother, and Badshah, came out in his support.

Dhami spoke to Mika Singh by phone on Thursday and stressed settling differences through dialogue. He said Uniyal had since clarified that he did not mean to cause offence and had not known that Mehndi was unwell. “These are all distinguished artists,” Dhami said. “Therefore, I think everyone should now consider this matter closed.”

His office added that “Devbhoomi Uttarakhand wholeheartedly welcomes and respects artists from across the country and the world”.