A viral video purportedly showing a bride and groom walking their pet dog around the Guru Granth Sahib during their Anand Karaj (Sikh marriage ceremony) has triggered widespread outrage and a fierce online debate over religious decorum.
The footage has drawn strong condemnation from high-profile Sikh figures, including the former Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Raghbir Singh, who described the act as a “grave violation” of Sikh religious maryada (code of conduct).
In the video, which has been widely shared across social media platforms, the couple is seen performing the laavaan—the four sacred circumambulations around the holy scripture that solemnize a Sikh marriage. Walking right alongside them is their pet dog.
Reacting sharply to the footage, Giani Raghbir Singh stated that the incident reportedly took place in Pakistan.
“The sanctity and reverence associated with Sri Guru Granth Sahib are paramount in Sikhism and cannot be compromised under any circumstances,” Singh said, noting that the incident has deeply hurt the sentiments of the global Sikh community.
The former Jathedar has urged the incumbent Jathedar of the Akal Takht to take immediate religious and legal action against the couple. Furthermore, he called for a complete religious and social boycott of the individuals who facilitated the ceremony and provided the Saroop (holy volume) of the Guru Granth Sahib for the wedding.
Social Media Backlash: “What a joke”
The video has reignited a broader conversation about the modern trend of personalizing weddings and where the line must be drawn when sacred religious rites are involved.
Many users questioned how an animal was permitted inside the sacred venue, calling the act highly disrespectful to established protocols. Comments ranged from sharp criticism to mockery, with one user writing, “the dog got married too,” while another simply stated, “What a joke.” A minority of users urged caution, suggesting that the full context of the video needs to be established before final conclusions are drawn.
The Anand Karaj, meaning “blissful union,” is a highly sacred Sikh ceremony. Gurdwaras and officiating clergy strictly enforce traditional guidelines regarding attire, conduct, and behavior inside the premises to maintain the absolute sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib.
As modern wedding trends increasingly clash with traditional values, many inside the community are demanding stricter enforcement of religious protocols to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
