May 21, 2025 1:21 PM - Connect Newsroom
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has taken down his AI-generated video titled "The Sikh Warrior Who Terrified the Mughals" after facing intense backlash from Sikh groups and viewers. The video, which depicted Guru Gobind Singh and his sons through animated visuals, was criticized for violating Sikh religious sentiments that prohibit portraying Gurus in human or visual form.
Major Sikh bodies, including the Akal Takht, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), condemned the video and demanded its immediate removal. Akal Takht's acting Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, accused Rathee of "insulting Sikh history, traditions, and emotions" through the depiction.
In response, Rathee took to Instagram, saying, "Although many appreciated the video, I’ve decided to remove it out of respect for those who feel strongly about animated depictions of the Gurus." He emphasized that the video was meant to be an educational tribute, not a source of religious or political controversy.