Dhruv Rathee AI Video Controversy: YouTuber Apologizes After Akal Takht, SGPC Objections

By Aditya Nagar | June 15, 2026

Dhruv Rathee AI Video Controversy: On Monday, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee took down his AI-generated video, "The Sikh Warrior Who Terrified the Mughals," after strong objections from the Akal Takht, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Dhruv Rathee AI video: The video received a lot of criticism for showing Sikh gurus in human form. The SGPC and SAD said this is not appropriate, stating, “Sikh gurus should not be represented in human form or films.”

Dhruv Rathee AI Video Controversy: YouTuber Pulls Video Over Sikh Guru Depiction Row

Dhruv Rathee Apologizes for AI Visuals: Dhruv Rathee wrote on Instagram that while many people liked his video, he decided to remove it because “some viewers feel strongly that any animated depiction of the Sikh Gurus conflicts with their beliefs.”

He also said, “I do not want this to become a political or religious controversy, because the video was simply an effort to showcase the stories of our Indian heroes in a new educational format.”

At the same time, Delhi cabinet minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa criticized Rathee’s video about Sikh history, calling it “disrespectful” and “an attempt at distorting the legacy of Sikh gurus and martyrs.”

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Sikh Gurus AI visuals: Statements from Akal Takht, SGPC, and SAD

YouTube Backlash: SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that such portrayals are considered a violation of Sikh principles and traditions.

According to Sikh beliefs, the Gurus, Sahibzadas, and their families are not to be depicted in human form or portrayed in films; therefore, it was alleged that Sikh tenets had been contravened by the YouTuber.

He also said the history of Sikh gurus is sacred and should not be changed, warning that legal action could follow if the video was not removed.

Dhruv Rathee Latest News: SAD Chief Slams Rathee's Video for Violating Sikh Code, Hurting Community Sentiments

Sikh Community Reaction: According to SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, Sikh rehat maryada, which prohibits visual representations of Guru Sahiban, is violated by such portrayals.

It has deeply hurt the sentiments of the community.” He also criticized the “misleading narrative” and the “lack of respectful language” in Rathee’s video.

Dhruv Rathee YouTube Video: Akal Takht Slams Dhruv Rathee, Demands Removal of Sikh Guru Video

Dhruv Rathee AI Video Controversy: In a post on X, he asked content creators to respect Sikh history and traditions, saying, “Respect for religious traditions and accurate historical representation are non-negotiable.

I request the immediate removal of the offending content and call for responsible storytelling that honours the sacred legacy of Sikhism.”

Akal Takht’s acting Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, said Rathee had “insulted” Sikh traditions and feelings by posting the video.

“Sikh principles prohibit visual representation or animation of the gurus, the Sahibzadas, members of the guru's family, and Sikh martyrs,” he said, demanding the video be removed right away.

Religious Representation in AI: DSGMC Files Cyber Complaint Against Dhruv Rathee

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell, asking for action against Dhruv Rathee and a review of his YouTube channel.

According to DSGMC President Harmeet Singh Kalka, the facts surrounding the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and the legacy of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Ji were altered in the video.

It was also stated that AI-generated images of Sikh gurus were used, despite such depictions being strictly forbidden in Sikhism.

Dhruv Rathee AI Video Controversy: Sikh Committee Slams Rathee's Video as Disrespectful, Urges Swift Action

In its complaint, the DSGMC stated, "Such unauthorised portrayals are a grave violation of Sikh religious principles and demonstrate a blatant disregard for our spiritual values.

Presenting half-truths under the guise of historical storytelling misguides the public and offends the sentiments of millions."

The committee also noted that Rathee’s channel has over 10 million subscribers, which could cause misinformation to spread fast. They asked authorities to respond quickly.

Orry Vs Dhruv Rathee

Social media personality Orhan Awatramani, better known as Orry, has once again came face off with the YouTuber Dhruv Rathee.

During his appearance on the KK Create podcast, he shared why he dislikes Dhruv. He said, “ I don’t like him because he used me as a thumbnail on his video, so I got tricked into watching his video, and I was there for two seconds.

Orry accused Dhruv of using him as a clickbait and tricking him into watching a 20-minute video, which is not even about him. He called it a torture.”

Orry claimed that Dhruv only presents his own perspective and picks topics that match his personal views.

Orry said, “I feel he covers topics very conveniently when it fits his narrative. I don't know exactly what his topics are because I don't follow everything, but he'll say something weird that doesn't make sense, and when he should be covering something, he just won't. I just don't like the guy. Either you look bad, or your AI looks cheap.”

Orry Reveals Cheeky Nickname for Dhruv Rathee, Wants Photo with PM Modi

Orry also mentioned the nickname he uses for Dhruv Rathee, saying, “'Dhruv t**ti'. I saw that somewhere online, and I can't leave it.”

During the podcast, Orry was asked which celebrity he still hopes to take a photo with, since he already has pictures with many stars.

He said Narendra Modi is at the top of his list. Orry also mentioned that he is already “manifesting” the moment and joked that the Prime Minister he is manifesting definitely knows who he is.

Orry’s Earlier Dispute with Dhruv

Last year, Orry defended his friend Janhvi Kapoor after Dhruv Rathee released a video called "The FAKE Beauty of Bollywood Celebrities," where he claimed Janhvi had cosmetic surgery. Orry responded by calling Dhruv “anti-nationalist”.

A viral reel alleged Rathee posted the video shortly after Janhvi raised the Dipu Chandra Das case in Bangladesh, calling the timing "unacceptable.

The video talked about several actresses who were rumored to have had cosmetic procedures, such as Janhvi Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Kajol. The thumbnail featured Janhvi’s photo, which drew attention online.

He had earlier defended Janhvi Kapoor after Rathee released a video in December 2025 titled "The Fake Beauty of Bollywood Celebrities."

That video named several actresses who were said to have had cosmetic procedures, including Janhvi Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and Kajol.

Orry Comes In Support of Janhvi Kapoor

Orry commented on an Instagram reel about the video to support Janhvi. He wrote, “She probably doesn’t even know who he is.”

He also called Dhruv “anti nationalist” and said Dhruv makes these videos for attention. In another comment, Orry mentioned him as an anti nationalist who complains about not getting papped at the train station despite having followers.

Gul Panag, Rupali Ganguly Slam Rathee Over Modi Remarks

Dhruv Rathee has also been criticized by actors such as Rupali Ganguly and Gul Panag for his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On X, Dhruv mentioned about humiliation of PM Modi to be right wherever he goes and encouraged foreign journalists to question the Prime Minister during his trips abroad.

Gul responded that while disagreeing with a Prime Minister is part of democracy, criticizing the office of India’s Prime Minister abroad "doesn't feel like the right thing or dissent" to her.

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