PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Haridwar
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the issue of cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal pulling up pop singer Daler Mehndi on October 18 for not being able to sing properly should be put to rest now after the minister said that he was not aware about the singer being reportedly unwell.
Video clips of Uniyal confronting Mehndi onstage for lip synching during the Kunjapuri Mela in Narendranagar went viral on social media. The minister expressed sharp displeasure over the performance, openly questioning the singer’s use of a pre-recorded backing track or ‘mixer-fixed’ singing. The minister claimed that despite being paid about Rs 35 lakh, the singer was unable to even speak clearly.
Mentioning Mehndi’s reputation and his status as a prominent artist, he said they had expected a better performance from him at the event. Mehndi is seen responding and trying to explain his point. However, the video does not reveal the full conversation and the exact trigger of the controversy. The social media is divided on the issue with some pop singers and entertainers coming out in support of the singer and opposing the minister while many others are questioning the apparent elitist attitude which apparently ignores the public.
Talking to the media on Thursday, Dhami said that Uniyal has clarified that he was unaware of Mehndi being unwell, as claimed by his supporters on social media. The CM said that Uttarakhand is a location where visitors are always respected. Dhami said that he will talk to Mehndi and his brother Mika Singh (who had made statements on social media against the scene). Meanwhile, the incident has raised questions about the tendency of the government to hire pop musicians for hefty sums, especially so called pop singers, known for numbers which contradict the culture and traditions of Uttarakhand.
