Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Uniyal dismissed statements issued by singer Mika Singh’s management claiming that he had apologized over a phone call. Instead, the minister doubled down on his actions, questioning Mehndi's stage conduct and asking what crime he had committed to warrant seeking forgiveness.
The Retraction: "There Is No Question of Apologising"
Just 24 hours after Mika Singh's camp publicly welcomed Uniyal’s reported apology call, the minister held a press briefing firmly disputing that narrative:
Direct Denial of Apology:
“There is no question of me apologising to the singer. Maine koi apradh kiya hai jo main maafi maangu? (Have I committed a crime that I should apologize?) I have not apologized to anyone.”
Questioning the Performance & Fee: Uniyal reaffirmed his stance that the singer had shortchanged public attendees at the Siddhpeeth Maa Kunjapuri Fair in New Tehri despite drawing a hefty performance fee from public funds:
“If he was unwell, he should not have come. Even if he did come, he should have informed the audience beforehand that he was unwell. I ask, who is the one at fault here? When people gather in thousands expecting a performance, you cannot fail to meet their expectations.”
The Widening Administrative Contradiction
Uniyal's firm rebuttal creates a stark split between the state leadership and the cabinet minister:
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami’s Position: Over the weekend, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had personally telephoned Mika Singh and Daler Mehndi, offering an administrative apology on behalf of the state to douse the outrage among the music fraternity and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).
The Telephonic Call in Dispute: While Mika Singh’s team had accepted what they characterized as an apology call from Uniyal on Monday, Uniyal’s fresh public statement suggests any private phone conversation was not an expression of personal wrongdoing, but rather a discussion that is now being interpreted in opposing terms.
Fraternity & Political Take:
Uniyal’s refusal to stand down reignites a volatile dispute that the state government had tried to put to rest. By directly challenging Mika Singh’s statement and re-litigating Mehndi’s live execution on stage, the minister has reopened the debate over artist contracts, performance transparency, and the limits of administrative protocol at state-sponsored festivals.
