Punjabi pop legend Daler Mehndi is at the center of a massive controversy that has divided India, after a government minister accused him of performing drunk on stage.
The incident happened at a cultural festival in Uttarakhand where Daler Mehndi was invited as the headline performer. According to reports, Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj claimed that the singer was intoxicated during his performance and could not sing properly, calling it an insult to the state's culture.
The video of the performance quickly went viral on social media, with many users claiming Daler looked unwell and was forgetting lyrics. The minister reportedly demanded his fee be returned.
But now, Daler's younger brother and famous singer Mika Singh has come out strongly in his defense. In an interview on a TV show, Mika said, "I challenge anyone to prove Daler paaji drinks alcohol. If anyone proves it, I will quit singing forever. My brother does not drink, does not smoke."
Mika revealed that Daler recently underwent a major surgery and was still recovering, but decided to perform because he did not want to disappoint his fans and the organizers who had paid him Rs 35 lakh.
Comedian and host Kapil Sharma also supported Daler, sharing that Daler performed despite doctor's advice not to travel.
Fans are now split into two groups. One group says a minister should not publicly shame an artist without proof. The other group says if an artist is sick, he should not take money and deliver a poor show.
Daler Mehndi himself has not yet released an official statement, but his team says he is deeply hurt by the allegations.
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