Actor Rajpal Yadav defended Daler Mehndi after Uttarakhand Minister Subodh Uniyal accused the singer of being intoxicated during a performance on October 18. Yadav said, "Daler Paaji does not drink alcohol." He slammed the minister for using indecent language, noting that the singer was actually suffering from poor health instead.
Daler Mehndi recently landed in a controversy after Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal confronted him on stage during a performance in Tehri Garhwal.
Actor Rajpal Yadav has come out in support of Daler Mehndi amid the criticism the singer has been facing after he was accused of performing in an intoxicated state during a cultural event in Tehri Garhwal. Recently, Yadav took to his Instagram handle and slammed Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal, who confronted Mehndi on stage. He clarified that Daler Mehndi does not drink alcohol and urged the minister to be a little respectful towards others.
"As a student of art, I want to share something with you. The way a respected minister said hurtful things and used indecent language against a legendary singer whose voice has touched people for decades, does not suit someone holding such a position," Rajpal Yadav said in Hindi.
"It seemed like you bought the art itself, which simply cannot be bought. Art is life, and you should respect life. And for your information, I will tell you that Daler Paaji does not drink alcohol. I have worked with him in Welcome To The Jungle. He is suffering from ill health, and people are trying to help him recover. The throne may come and go, but art will always hold a higher place, so you should respect it. God bless you," the actor added.
WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY? WHAT DID THE UTTARAKHAND MINISTER SAY?
Daler Mehndi recently landed in a controversy after Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal confronted him on stage during a performance at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair in Tehri Garhwal. The incident took place on Sunday, October 18, and a video of the exchange went viral on social media.
The minister accused the singer of being intoxicated and failing to perform properly at the Navratri event. Questioning his performance, Uniyal said, "You are unable to even speak, how will you sing?" He also alleged that Mehndi had been paid Rs 35 lakh for the show and accused him of disappointing the audience.
However, the allegations of intoxication have not been independently established. Organisers reportedly said the singer's team attributed his condition to ill health.
The incident has drawn reactions from several celebrities, including Anupam Kher, Mika Singh, Badshah and Kapil Sharma, who criticised the public confrontation and expressed support for Mehndi.