Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal has denied reports that he apologised to singer Daler Mehndi over a dispute linked to the Kunjapuri Mela in Narendranagar.

In a video, Uniyal says there is “No question of apologising”. He maintains that the mistake was not his and places responsibility on Daler Mehndi, according to the minister’s account.

What Uniyal said

Uniyal said Mehndi had been paid Rs 36 lakh to perform at the Kunjapuri Mela. The minister further claimed that the singer did not meet the expected performance commitment.

the event date, details of the alleged shortfall or a response from Mehndi is not yet available. It therefore remains important to treat Uniyal’s version as a claim in an ongoing public dispute.

The controversy has drawn wider attention from the music industry. ETV Bharat reported on 22 October 2026 that singer Mika Singh demanded an apology from the Uttarakhand minister, while the Federation of Western India Cine Employees sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention.

The Times of India and ABP Live English also reported on 22 October 2026 that Mika Singh questioned the payment claim and disputed allegations involving alcohol. Those reports referred to a payment of Rs 35 lakh, while Uniyal’s statement in the present report refers to Rs 36 lakh. The 2 figures have not been reconciled in the available material.

A LatestLY report dated 25 October 2026 separately reported that Uniyal had apologised and quoted Mika Singh as hoping the dispute could be put behind them. That account conflicts with the video in which Uniyal says there is no question of apologising.

No independent clarification resolving the conflicting accounts is included in the available information. The dispute currently centres on the payment amount, the singer’s performance at the mela and whether the minister issued an apology.

Conclusion

Subodh Uniyal continues to deny apologising to Daler Mehndi and says the responsibility for the Kunjapuri Mela dispute lies with the singer. Conflicting reports about an apology and the payment amount remain unresolved in the available material.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Did Subodh Uniyal apologise to Daler Mehndi?

The video in this report shows Uniyal saying there is “No question of apologising”. A separate LatestLY report dated 25 October 2026 reported the opposite, leaving the accounts unresolved.

Q. How much was Daler Mehndi reportedly paid?

Uniyal’s statement refers to Rs 36 lakh. Other reports cited in the background material referred to Rs 35 lakh.

Q. Where was Daler Mehndi scheduled to perform?

He was reportedly booked to perform at the Kunjapuri Mela in Narendranagar.

Q. What does Uniyal claim about the performance?

Uniyal claims that Mehndi did not live up to the performance commitment after receiving the payment.

Q. Who demanded an apology from the minister?

ETV Bharat, The Times of India and ABP Live English reported that Mika Singh demanded an apology from Uniyal.

Q. What wider intervention was reported?

ETV Bharat reported that the Federation of Western India Cine Employees sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention.