Popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has taken down his AI-generated video titled “The Sikh Warrior Who Terrified the Mughals” following strong backlash from Sikh religious and political groups, including the Akal Takht, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
The video, which aimed to highlight the bravery of Sikh warriors using animated visuals, drew criticism for depicting Sikh gurus in human form—an act considered deeply offensive in Sikhism. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami called the portrayal a “violation of Sikh principles and traditions,” emphasizing that Sikh gurus and their families must not be visually represented in films or animations. He warned of potential legal action if the video remained online.
SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal echoed similar concerns, stating that such portrayals go against the rehat maryada (Sikh code of conduct) and have deeply hurt the community’s sentiments. He also criticized the tone of the video and called for greater sensitivity and historical accuracy in digital storytelling.
In response to the uproar, Dhruv Rathee issued a statement on Instagram, saying that although the video had received positive feedback, he chose to remove it out of respect for religious beliefs. “Some viewers feel strongly that any animated depiction of the Sikh Gurus conflicts with their beliefs. I do not want this to become a political or religious controversy,” he said, clarifying that his intention was to educate and honor Indian heroes through a modern format.
Despite Rathee’s explanation, criticism continued. Delhi cabinet minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa labeled the video as “disrespectful” and accused Rathee of distorting Sikh history. Meanwhile, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) filed a formal complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell. The DSGMC alleged that the video misrepresented the legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji and violated core Sikh religious principles by using AI-generated images.
DSGMC president Harmeet Singh Kalka stated that with Rathee’s large following of over 10 million subscribers, the spread of misinformation was a serious concern. The committee called for prompt action against the content and a review of the channel’s material, urging responsible digital storytelling that respects religious sentiments.
