Mika Singh Defends Daler Mehndi Over Drunk Allegations, Says He Will Quit Singing if Claims Are Proven

Singer Mika Singh has come out in defence of his elder brother, Daler Mehndi, after Uttarakhand MLA Subodh Uniyal accused the veteran performer of being drunk during a Navratri event. Mika denied the allegation, insisting that Daler does not consume alcohol and challenging anyone to prove otherwise. He said he would quit singing if even one person could establish that his brother drinks.

The controversy erupted during Daler Mehndi’s performance at the Kunjapuri Fair in Uttarakhand’s Tehri district on Sunday, October 18.

Mika Singh Challenges Those Accusing Daler Mehndi

In a statement shared on social media, Mika questioned the claims circulating about his brother’s performance and pointed to Daler’s three-decade-long career.

He asked whether anyone had ever seen the singer drinking alcohol, including at his birthday celebrations. Mika also criticised those who concluded that Daler was intoxicated because he appeared to have difficulty standing or singing on stage.

“I want to challenge the media and his colleagues in the industry. Even if one person says that we have seen Daler Mehndi drinking alcohol, then I will quit singing,” Mika said.

He acknowledged that Daler might not have been at his best during the performance but argued that his condition should not automatically be attributed to alcohol.

Mika Says Daler Mehndi Recently Underwent Surgery

Mika suggested that his brother's health may have affected his performance, revealing that Daler had recently undergone a serious medical procedure.

He said performers sometimes honour their commitments even when they are unwell, including when they have a high fever. Mika said he follows the same approach, turning up for shows he has already agreed to perform despite feeling sick.

He suggested that Daler may have similarly chosen to fulfil his commitment despite not feeling well.

Mika added that Daler had asked him not to issue a statement, but he decided to speak out as both his brother and a fan.

What Happened at the Uttarakhand Navratri Event?

The controversy began when Subodh Uniyal confronted Daler Mehndi on stage during the cultural programme organised for Navratri at the Kunjapuri Fair.

Speaking into a microphone in front of the audience, the MLA accused the singer of performing after consuming alcohol and questioned his ability to sing.

“There is a Durga Mata programme for Navratri, and you are singing at the event after drinking alcohol, which is not appropriate,” Uniyal said.

He also criticised the performance, telling the singer that he had been invited because of his reputation and that he was disappointing the organisers and audience.

The allegations prompted a public response from Mika, who maintained that his brother's apparent difficulty performing was linked to his health rather than alcohol consumption.

Daler Mehndi Had Previously Said He Does Not Drink

Daler Mehndi had also spoken about his alcohol consumption in a 2024 interview with Navbharat Times. At the time, he said avoiding alcohol was one reason his voice had remained intact over the years.

“One reason my voice has remained intact is that I do not drink alcohol,” he said, adding that maintaining the quality of a singer's voice over time could be challenging.

The 59-year-old singer rose to fame in the mid-1990s with Punjabi pop hits such as Bolo Tara Rara and Tunak Tunak Tun. He has also lent his voice to popular Bollywood songs, including Rang De Basanti, Na Na Na Re and Kudiyan Sheher Diyan.