Sona Mohapatra defends her stance on Daler Mehndi after minister reprimands him for live show

Singer Daler Mehndi faced sharp criticism from Uttarakhand Cabinet minister Subodh Uniyal following a live appearance at a cultural event in New Tehri on Sunday. Accusations emerged claiming the veteran singer was intoxicated and unable to sing properly during the program. While many artists from the film and music industry rallied behind Daler, fellow singer Sona Mohapatra stood firm by her earlier criticism.

The Controversy

Writing on Instagram, Sona expressed surprise at the heavy industry support for Daler despite the visible issues during the show. She argued that empathy should not replace personal accountability for performers who enjoy high pay and public adoration. Sharing her own past experience, Sona recalled watching Daler at the Sufi Heritage Festival where he seemed disoriented, struggled to hit notes, and disappointed paying fans who walked out early.

Minister's Response

On the other side, Daler's brother Mika Singh and other industry members defended the singer, denying claims of drinking and stating he was simply unwell. Minister Uniyal told the press that a prominent artist should have stayed away if sick or informed organizers beforehand, especially since full payment of 35 lakh rupees and luxury hotels were arranged in advance.

Context

Public figures often face competing pressures between loyalty to peers within the entertainment industry and accountability toward paying audiences and organizers. This incident highlights ongoing debates around live performance standards and the responsibilities of veteran artists at publicly funded or sponsored events across the country.