Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi's performance at the Kunjapuri Mela in Uttarakhand's Tehri district was interrupted after Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal confronted him on stage over allegations that he was under the influence of alcohol.
A video of the exchange, which took place during a night-time cultural programme at the religious fair in Narendra Nagar, has gone viral on social media, triggering a debate over maintaining decorum at religious events.
Uniyal, who represents the Narendra Nagar Assembly constituency, reportedly stepped onto the stage after Mehndi allegedly appeared intoxicated during his performance.
𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿
In the viral video, Uniyal can be heard questioning Mehndi's ability to continue performing.
"Bol toh jaa nahi raha, gaana kya gaoge?" (You can't even speak, how will you sing?), the minister asked.
Uniyal told the singer that the programme was being organised as part of Navratri celebrations dedicated to Goddess Durga and that performing under the influence of alcohol would be inappropriate.
The minister asked Mehndi to stop singing and stressed the need to respect the religious significance of the occasion.
The allegation that Mehndi had consumed alcohol has not been independently established.
𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗲
The confrontation has attracted attention on social media, with the video being widely circulated.
Several people have supported Uniyal's intervention, arguing that performers should maintain appropriate conduct during religious programmes.
The incident has also brought attention to the Kunjapuri Mela, which holds religious and cultural significance in the Tehri Garhwal region.
Mehndi, one of India's best-known Punjabi pop singers, rose to prominence during the 1990s with songs such as Bolo Ta Ra Ra, Tunak Tunak Tun and Ho Jayegi Balle Balle.
He has also performed several popular Bollywood songs, including tracks from Rang De Basanti, Dangal and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.
There was no immediate response from Mehndi to the allegations in the report.