'Daler Mehndi should have informed us that he was unwell,' says Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal: 'We were asked to make full payment of Rs 35 lakh in advance, he should have refused'

Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal has responded to the backlash over his on-stage confrontation with Daler Mehndi at a cultural event, saying he had no intention of hurting the Punjabi singer. The minister maintained that Mehndi should have informed the organisers about his health if he was unwell and explained that he felt “pressured” to intervene during the performance.Uniyal alleged that Mehndi appeared to be lip-syncing and was struggling to speak and walk properly. He said the singer’s condition led him to suspect that he might be under the influence of a substance. The minister added that he learnt Mehndi was unwell only after he interrupted the performance.“Such a big artiste, he should have informed us about this. This fact was revealed only when he was interrupted. If he was unwell, he should not have come to perform.