'Ever seen him drink?': Mika Singh defends brother Daler Mehndi after latter accused of being drunk on stage

Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh pic via Instagram

Singer Daler Mehndi's stage show in Uttarakhand has become a talking point after a video of an on-stage confrontation went viral. Clips from the event show Subodh Uniyal, MLA from Narendranagar, walking onto the stage and reprimanding the singer for his performance. He accused Daler of not singing properly and alleged that he was under the influence of alcohol.

The incident has triggered a wave of reaction on social media, with some users mocking the allegations and others coming in support of the veteran singer. Now, Daler Mehndi's brother, singer Mika Singh, has joined those defending the singer, speaking out in his support.

Mika Singh defends Daler Mehndi after he faced allegations of being intoxicated

In a video statement issued on Instagram, Mika has said, "I saw the news. You people have spread this: ‘Daler Mehndi was drunk while singing; he is unable to sing' First of all, I would like to ask you all- he has been a superstar for the last 30 years. Have you ever seen a glass of alcohol in his hand, or seen alcohol flowing freely at his birthday parties? No, you have not. Jab aapne dekha hi nahi, toh aapne kaise keh diya unse khada nahi hua jaa raha. Hum artists kayin baar kisi ke kehne par haan kar dete hain ‘yes we will do the show' Even if we have a 104-degree fever, it doesn't matter. If I am sick, and I have a show day after tomorrow, and I have already committed, then even if the budget is big or small, I will do it. Inhone (Daler) bhi aisa hi kiya hoga."

Mika also revealed that Daler had recently undergone a major surgery and was not at his healthiest during the stage performance. The singer continued, "Haal hi mein unka bahot bada operation hua hai. Vahaan pe bahot kamaal ke mantri the, stage pe aaye aur jhaad diya ‘aapse gaaya nahi jaa raha, mat gaao, Humse paise liye'… maan liya, sahi bole. Par yeh mat bolo sharab peeke gaa rahe hain. Maine challenge karta hoon, agar ek banda bol de ‘humne Daler ko sharaab peete huye dekha hai', toh main gaana hi chhod dunga."

What happened at the event?

Uniyal, who is also the MLA for Narendranagar, criticised the singer's performance during a cultural programme organised as part of the Navratri celebrations. "There is a Durga Mata programme for Navratri, and you are singing at the event after drinking alcohol, which is not appropriate," the minister said on stage, standing right next to Mehndi.

"We called you so that our people could be entertained. You are making a fool of us," Uniyal said. "This is wrong. It's wrong. You have a big name; we should respect that. You were called because you have a big name."

In the video, Mehndi appeared to interpret Uniyal by saying, "Sir, I request you with folded hands...please leave the stage." A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media. Daler Mehndi is yet to respond to the controversy.