Dhruv Rathee Faces Backlash Over Controversial Video on Sikh History

Popular Indian YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has sparked major controversy after posting a video about Sikh history that many have called misleading and disrespectful. The video, titled “The Sikh Warrior Who Terrified the Mughals”, was 24 minutes and 37 seconds long and is now deleted from his YouTube channel following public outrage.

The video reportedly used AI-generated content and portrayed Sikh Gurus inaccurately, which deeply offended the Sikh community and religious leaders.

Two of the largest Sikh organizations — the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) — strongly condemned the video, calling it disrespectful and historically incorrect.

SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed his anger on X (formerly Twitter), saying: “Our party strongly condemns the disrespectful portrayal of our revered Gurus. The video has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.”

Following heavy criticism and pressure from various Sikh groups, Rathee removed the video from his platform.

Who is Dhruv Rathee?

Dhruv Rathee is one of India’s most influential YouTubers, with over 28 million subscribers. He is known for creating videos that analyze politics, government policies, and social issues. Born in Haryana, Rathee studied mechanical engineering in Germany and currently lives there with his wife, Juli Lbr-Rathee. The couple also runs a travel vlog channel.

Rathee started making videos in 2013 and initially supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, over the years, he has become one of the most vocal critics of the Modi government. His popularity has grown through his fact-based videos, especially on YouTube and social media.

After the 2024 Indian general election results, Rathee tweeted: “Never underestimate the power of a common man.”

What Went Wrong?

Rathee’s recent video on Sikh history touched a nerve by attempting to retell historical events using AI. Viewers said the content lacked research and context, especially in how it represented Sikh Gurus — sacred figures in the Sikh religion.

Historians and Sikh intellectuals criticized the use of artificial intelligence in such sensitive content, saying it could lead to the spread of misinformation and hurt religious sentiments.

Final Word

This controversy has raised concerns over AI-generated misinformation, especially in religious and historical content. It also shows that online creators must be cautious while dealing with topics involving faith and culture.