Story perspectives

Minister Interrupts Daler Mehndi, Accuses Drunkenness at Fair

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 4:24 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Minister Subodh Uniyal interrupted Daler Mehndi's performance at Siddhpeeth Kunjapuri Fair in New Tehri, accusing drunkenness.
The Oct 18 2026 accusation is unverified; the chief minister will meet singers.
Mika Singh posted on X demanding Subodh Uniyal apologize, Mehndi does not drink.
Uniyal told PTI Mehndi was lip-syncing, could not speak or walk, got a INR35 lakh advance.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he will speak with the singers and close the dispute.

History

Historical Context

The Supreme Court’s 1995 ruling in Tata Press Ltd. v. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited declared commercial speech a protected facet of Article 19, laying groundwork for artistic freedom cases. That principle echoed during the 1996 controversy over M.F. Husain’s paintings and the 1998 attacks on his work, and today fuels debate over Subodh Uniyal’s INR35 lakh advance claim against singer Daler Mehndi.

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Story summary

Minister Subodh Uniyal interrupted Daler Mehndi's performance at Siddhpeeth Kunjapuri Fair in New Tehri, accusing drunkenness.
The Oct 18 2026 accusation is unverified; the chief minister will meet singers.
Mika Singh posted on X demanding Subodh Uniyal apologize, Mehndi does not drink.
Uniyal told PTI Mehndi was lip-syncing, could not speak or walk, got a INR35 lakh advance.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he will speak with the singers and close the dispute.

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