A controversy erupted after a video showing Subhan Rangreez washing his hands and feet in the sacred Amrit Sarovar at the Golden Temple in Amritsar went viral on social media. The incident, reportedly recorded on January 16, triggered strong reactions from the Sikh community and drew sharp criticism from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages the holy shrine.
The 25-second video shows Subhan Rangreez sitting near the edge of the Amrit Sarovar, performing ablutions while recording himself on a mobile phone. As the clip spread rapidly online, many viewers described the act as disrespectful and contrary to Sikh religious traditions. The video also sparked a broader debate on responsible behaviour at places of worship and the need to respect established religious norms in the age of social media.
A video of a Muslim man wearing a cap (Taqiyah) rinsing his mouth with Sarovar water at the Sri Darbar Sahib Golden Temple Amritsar and making a reel has gone viral. Many people have objected to his actions. pic.twitter.com/hwkbSTzKhN
— Gagandeep Singh (@Gagan4344) January 16, 2026
Reacting to the incident, the SGPC said the act violated the Sikh maryada, or code of conduct, strictly followed at Sri Harmandir Sahib. The committee strongly condemned the behaviour and reminded visitors that the Amrit Sarovar is a sacred water body meant for spiritual reverence, not for washing hands or feet.
SGPC Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh said an inquiry would be conducted to determine how the incident occurred despite the presence of on-duty sewadars at the Golden Temple. He also said the committee would examine whether the viral video was authentic or had been digitally altered or generated using artificial intelligence. The SGPC appealed to devotees and tourists to strictly follow religious rules, emphasising that the same standards apply to everyone visiting the shrine.
Amid growing criticism, the youth involved in the incident issued a public apology. He said he had visited the Golden Temple with respect but was unaware of the complete religious protocol observed at the holy site. Expressing regret, he stated that his actions were unintentional and that he was deeply sorry for hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community. According to United News of India, he also said that he plans to return to the Golden Temple to seek forgiveness in person.
Subhan Rangreez, whose video went viral on social media, apologized for rinsing in the Sarovar at Darbar Sahib. He said he was not aware of the maryada and added that he will also visit Darbar Sahib to seek an apology. pic.twitter.com/Z0PtiSYL9J
— Gagandeep Singh (@Gagan4344) January 16, 2026
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also reacted to the controversy, stressing that all religions deserve respect. He said actions that hurt religious sentiments should be avoided and urged people to be mindful of traditions when visiting places of worship.
The incident has once again drawn attention to concerns over social media content creation at religious sites. Religious authorities have repeatedly urged visitors to prioritise discipline, faith, and respect over online visibility. The SGPC reiterated that awareness of Sikh maryada and responsible behaviour are essential to preserving the sanctity of Sri Harmandir Sahib.