October 18, 2026 saw the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Tourism and Development Fair erupt into a public theater when Subodh Uniyal stormed the stage, accusing Daler Mehndi of performing after drinking alcohol and demanding a 35‑lakh Rs. payment.
But Gurdas Maan, who has shared stages with the legendary Asha Bhosle and played half a century of Punjabi hits, stepped onto the same stage of public opinion and said that artists, like everyone else, have personal battles that should stay behind the curtain.
Mika Singh, Daler's brother, joined the chorus, calling out the insult and insisting the singer never touches a glass of alcohol. The list of supporters grew to Rajpal Yadav, Anupam Kher, Kapil Sharma and the rap mogul Badshah, each posting short videos reminding fans that a single moment doesn’t define a legend.
Daler, who has been the face of Navratri for decades, is known for his electrifying bhangra beats and the iconic "Tunak Tunak Tun" remix that still drops on every wedding playlist. His reputation as a crowd‑pleaser was what drew the state minister's eye, but the minister's shout loud on the stage turned a celebration into a courtroom drama.
With the controversy still hot on social media, event organizers are now tightening vetting processes, while the debate over how state events should handle artist conduct is gaining traction in legislative forums.