Dhruv Rathi deletes AI-generated video on Sikh gurus after backlash from Sikh bodies

New Delhi: YouTuber Dhruv Rathi has deleted a video created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Sikh gurus following strong objections from Sikh religious bodies. Rathi, who hails from Haryana, faced criticism after uploading the video on YouTube, which featured animated depictions of Sikh gurus, martyred warriors, and their family members.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) raised objections to the content, while the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against the YouTuber.

As the controversy escalated, Rathi addressed the issue in another video, saying, “People of the Sikh community say that it is wrong to show Sikh gurus in animation in the video. People can give me opinions on social media. After this, I will delete the video.”

Soon after the statement, the original video was removed from his channel.

The video, titled ‘Banda Singh Bahadur Ki Katha’, used AI to animate Sikh historical figures and referred to Banda Singh Bahadur as a “Robin Hood,” which further fuelled the controversy.