YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has taken down his AI-generated video, “The Sikh Warrior Who Terrified the Mughals,” following widespread protests from Sikh religious bodies and political leaders. The video faced criticism for depicting Sikh gurus in human form, a representation considered deeply disrespectful by the Sikh community. Dhruv Rathee stated that he removed the video because many viewers felt that any animated depiction of Sikh gurus conflicts with their beliefs. Despite receiving positive feedback, he emphasized that his intention was to educate about Indian heroes, not to stir religious or political controversy.
Strong Opposition from Sikh Authorities and Political Leaders
The video drew sharp condemnation from the Akal Takht, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), who expressed that Sikh gurus should never be represented visually or in films. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami called such portrayals a violation of Sikh principles and warned of legal action if the content was not removed. SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal criticized the video for disrespecting Sikh ‘rehat maryada’ (code of conduct) and hurting community sentiments, demanding its immediate removal and urging content creators to uphold Sikh traditions. Akal Takht’s acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said Dhruv Rathee had insulted Sikh sentiments and traditions by posting the video, insisting on its prompt deletion.
Legal Action and Concerns Over Misinformation
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell against Dhruv Rathee, calling for action on the video and a review of his YouTube channel. DSGMC President Harmeet Singh Kalka stated that the video distorted important Sikh historical facts and used forbidden AI-generated images of Sikh gurus. The complaint emphasized that unauthorized portrayals deeply violate Sikh religious values and mislead the public by presenting half-truths. With Dhruv Rathee’s channel boasting over 10 million subscribers, the committee expressed concern about the rapid spread of such content and urged authorities to act quickly.
In response to the backlash, Dhruv Rathee clarified through an Instagram post that the video was created to share inspiring stories of Indian heroes in a new educational format, not to provoke any religious or political disputes. However, he respected the sentiments of the Sikh community by removing the video to avoid further controversy.
