AMRITSAR: A special gathering was held today at Sri Akal Takht Sahib with participation from Panthic personalities, Sikh intellectuals, scholars, and some Sabat Soorat Sikh actors and artists to deliberate on films, animated productions and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated videos related to Sikh Gurus, their family members, historical Sikh warriors/martyrs, and various aspects of Sikh history.
The gathering was led by officiating Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj. Other attendees included Granthi of Sri Harmandar Sahib Giani Parwinderpal Singh, SGPC member Bhai Gurcharan Singh Garewal, Head Granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Malkit Singh and Damdami Taksal chief Giani Ram Singh, among others.
All the personalities, scholars, and intellectuals shared their suggestions in a positive environment. It was collectively felt that in the current age of advanced information technology and AI, this is a highly sensitive and serious issue that requires a clear and firm policy.
During the session, earlier decisions made by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) taken in 1934, 1940, 2003, 2015, and 2022 regarding such films and visuals were endorsed and confirmed. Future policy formation was discussed in light of these resolutions. Scholars emphasized that current technological developments pose significant challenges to Sikh identity, traditions, principles, and philosophy. Therefore, it is essential to maintain and promote traditional modes of preaching Sikhi rooted in historical traditions, oral narratives (Sakhi tradition), gurdwaras, and Sikh institutions.
All attendees were given time to express their views freely, and written suggestions were also collected.
Following the gathering, Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj addressed the media, stating that the received suggestions will be carefully considered and further deliberations will be conducted in accordance with Sikh principles, Panthic traditions, and tenets to form concrete policies and regulations. He added that a committee will soon be constituted to examine the suggestions and related aspects, and a draft policy will be prepared in collaboration with the SGPC. He also mentioned that another session with Sikh experts from the field of technology and AI may be convened in the near future.
He noted that all attendees appeared concerned and united on the issue. Jathedar Gargajj referred to recent statements by Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar expressing a desire to make a film on Sikh martyr and great general S. Hari Singh Nalwa. He made it clear that such a film will not be permitted. He emphasized that S. Hari Singh Nalwa was a great general of the Sikh nation who was martyred in the Battle of Jamrud, and there is already a standing restriction on making films about Sikh martyrs.
He stated that the Sikh community cannot allow films to be made about its heroes and martyrs for the sake of someone’s commercial interests.
Jathedar Gargajj asserted that past decisions by the SGPC were in accordance with Sikh tenets (Gurmat) and have the full support of the scholars, who believe these resolutions were correct. These decisions were taken after deep deliberation for the greater good of the community.
He reiterated that the Khalsa Panth is clear and united in its stance that no films should be made featuring representations of Sikh Gurus, their family members, Sahibzadas, Sikh martyrs, revered personalities, or Sikh ceremonies. He clarified that while decisions can progress forward, they cannot be reversed. Firm action will be taken to stop those acting against this consensus.
The stage proceedings were conducted by Prof. Sukhdev Singh, assistant secretary of the SGPC’s Dharam Parchar Committee.
Prominent attendees included Gurbhej Singh Chief Khalsa Diwan, Dr. Pritpal Singh (VC, Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rajinder Singh Ruby (Manager, Sri Darbar Sahib), Satnam Singh (Assistant Manager), Rajwinder Singh Joga (In-charge, Gurdwara Gazette, Senior journalist S. Jaswant Singh, Dr. Atam Singh (Principal, Khalsa College Amritsar), Dr. Gurdev Singh, Prof. Jaspal Singh (Khalsa College), Dr. Sukhpreet Singh Udoke, Giani Gagandeep Singh Nirmala, Actor Amritpal Singh, Sarabjit Singh Jhinder (Youth Akali Dal President), Talwinder Singh Butter, Sukhpal Singh, Amardeep Singh (Filmmaker), Deep Jagdeep Singh (Journalist/Filmmaker), Baldeep Singh Ramuwalia, Advocate Simarjeet Singh, Actor Amitoj Singh, Sharandeep Singh (Sharan Arts), Parminder Singh, Folk singer Bir Singh, Prof Manjit Singh, Avneet Singh, scholars from Sikh Itihas Research Board Dr. Gurminder Singh, Karamjit Singh, Dr. Simranjit Kaur, Dr. Harpreet Kaur, Bibi Kirandeep Kaur, Bibi Gurmeet Kaur; Janjot Singh, Kirpal Singh (Former Research Scholar), Bhai Mandeep Singh Khurd, Shamsher Singh, Sukhchain Singh Atla, Kamaldeep Singh, Mandeep Singh Kubbe, Prabhjot Singh, Sandeep Singh, Dhanwant Singh, Talwinder Singh (Mohali), Bagicha Singh (In-charge Secretariat), Gurmeet Singh (In-charge Literature), Assistant In-charge Secretariat S. Jasvir Singh Longowal, among others.