Reality vs. Regulation The SGPC’s Battle to Protect Sri Harmandir Sahib in the Digital Age:

In a world where technology moves faster than the law, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has sounded a loud alarm. A viral video, allegedly created using Artificial Intelligence (AI), has sparked widespread outrage for depicting "objectionable scenes" within the holy Parikrama (circumambulation) of Sri Harmandir Sahib.

The video, which appeared to show a young man wearing shoes and boarding a vehicle inside the sacred complex, has been denounced by the SGPC as a deliberate attempt to hurt religious sentiments. Following a strict notice by SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, the Amritsar Police Cyber Cell has registered an FIR under Section 299 of the IPC (outraging religious feelings).

Why this is more than just a "fake" video:

Intent to Mislead: The SGPC believes this isn't just a technical experiment but a "deep-rooted conspiracy" to incite tension and defame the spiritual center of the Sikh community.

Repeated Incidents: This is not the first time. In early 2026, multiple AI-generated clips surfaced, prompting the SGPC to form a dedicated AI Expert Sub-Committee to monitor and flag such content.

The Call for Policy: The SGPC has reached out to tech giants like Meta, Google, and OpenAI, demanding a "national policy" to regulate AI content related to religion.

While the police have already traced specific Instagram links used to spread the video, the SGPC has urged the Sangat (devotees) to refrain from sharing such sensitive material. In an era of deepfakes, protecting the Maryada (sanctity) of one of the world's most revered shrines has become a new, digital battleground.