Harinder Singh

Senior Fellow, Research & Policy

Harinder Singh is the Senior Fellow at the Sikh Research Institute. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University, an MS in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas, and an MPhil from Punjab University in the linguistics of the Guru Granth Sahib. 

He co-founded the Sikh Research Institute and the Panjab Digital Library, envisioned the Kaur and Singh Academy, and organized the Free Akal Takht campaign.

He appears on radio and television programs and speaks at universities, parliaments, museums, conferences, and civic institutions. He has authored several books and numerous articles integrating the political and the spiritual. He consults on curriculums, exhibitions, and films and is featured in many documentaries on the Sikhs, the Panjab, and South Asian matters.

His current focus is on developing critical thinking for Sikh institutions via the State of the Panth report series and developing open-source decoding of Guru Granth Sahib in contemporary Panjabi and English for a global audience.

He has served on the National Conference on Community and Justice boards, The Fellowship of Activists to Embrace Humanity, The Nanakshahi Trust, among others. He looks for culturally-specific things to experience and a light roast pour-over coffee to sip during travels, reads and binge-watches to stay in touch with what the world is up to, and listens to sabads, poetry, Hir, jazz, and political rap.

Harinder Singh resides with his family in the United States.

Videos

Sunday
,
10
November
2024

1984: What does justice look like?

The concept of justice is often discussed in relation to the events of 1984, where the focus tends to be on bringing perpetrators to justice. However, a deeper question emerges: What does true justice look like?

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Saturday
,
9
November
2024

Countering 1984 Narratives & Overcoming Barriers

Understanding the 1984 events starts with self-education and discerning sources. The government’s single narrative—the White Paper—was quickly discredited, yet it remains widespread, leaving much unaddressed since June 1984.

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Friday
,
18
October
2024

1984: Witness, Document, Justice

Join SikhRI as we pay tribute to those who answered the call of humanity during those dark days in Delhi. Featuring an esteemed panel of historians, activists, and legal advocates, this event sheds light on their courageous efforts.

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Monday
,
17
June
2024

1984: Voices of Resilience

Harinder Singh spoke at the BC Sikh Heritage Event, "1984: Voices of Resilience," delving into the 1984 Sikh Ghallughara (a major genocidal campaign) and its lasting impact on the Sikh community.

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Monday
,
10
June
2024

Sant Jarnail Singh: The Man, the Myth, the Truth

Join host Santbir Singh as he delves into an in-depth conversation with Harinder Singh about Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a pivotal figure in 20th-century Sikh history.

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Monday
,
20
May
2024

1984 Path of the Warrior Saints

Harinder Singh, Senior Fellow of Research and Policy at the Sikh Research Institute, delves deeper into the themes of Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation, and Prevention.

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Podcasts

Friday
,
30
October
2020

The Guru Granth Sahib Project — Live Webinar

Our panel discusses the newly launched Guru Granth Sahib Project. The Project states that, although there are Gurbani translations available in Panjabi text belonging to the early twentieth century by many celebrated Sikh giants, and some in English from recent times, there is a need for a fresh perspective for contemporary audiences. The project aims to make the Guru Granth Sahib accessible to English speakers globally via technology. Our lead Researchers discuss the challenges in creating this work, their transcreation process, and how these translations may differ from others.

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Wednesday
,
11
January
2017

“Emperor-Prophet” - The Real Guru Gobind Singh Ji

The Panjab Digital Library was selected to develop an exhibition for the 350-year celebration of Guru Gobind Singh by the government of Bihar.

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Monday
,
11
September
2017

Nothing Comes, Nothing Goes

The Sabad begins with a profound declaration— the body itself is a manifestation of the divine, a temple, and a wandering pilgrim. This poetic imagery invites reflection on the sacred nature of the physical form, transforming it into a vessel for...

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Monday
,
12
June
2017

I Cannot Live Without All-Pervasive For Even a Moment or an Instant

In the melodic embrace of Rag Asavar, Guru Ramdas Sahib's bestowed Sabad resonates, capturing the transitional hues from late afternoon to early evening.

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Monday
,
24
April
2017

Everywhere I Go, Bithal is Present

Listen to Harinder Singh’s reflection on Bhagat Namdev’s evolution from deity worship to seeing Divinity pervading everywhere.

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Wednesday
,
15
March
2017

Day and Night I Ask for Nam Within

This Sabad by Guru Ramdas Sahib within Rag Sorath encompasses a tapestry of emotions: seriousness, love, separation, longing, and detachment. Traditionally performed, it encapsulates a spectrum of human experiences.

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Articles

Thursday
,
24
April
2014

Are You Ready to Be a Decision-maker for Sikhs?

I heard as recently as last Sunday at a Baltimore gurduara, that Sikhs don't know how to make their own decisions. True, and false.

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Tuesday
,
13
May
2014

Mata-e-Panth: Sahib Kaur

Four days ago, my daughter Gani’s teacher at The Preschool Place invited my wife for the mother’s day celebration. Gani “carefree” Kaur was entrusted to us by the Divine to “grow” and “care” over four and half years ago. To Gani’s surprise, her ma (mom), her dadi (paternal grandmother), and pardadi (paternal great grandmother) showed up; her teacher had to arrange for three “diamond” necklaces and few more brownies with ice cream given the pleasant surprise. Gani sang, created, shared, thanked, and enjoyed; three moms loved it too.

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Wednesday
,
5
November
2014

Wanted – A New Sikh

In the struggle to solve the crisis facing the Sikhs today, I believe the tide is finally shifting. We are beginning to win the fight, but there is much more work to do and the clock is ticking away.

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Wednesday
,
8
April
2015

Punjabi in Me

Did I ever leave Panjab? Growing up in the west, my earliest memory of Panjab is taking a train ride from Jhansi (UP) to Ludhiana (Panjab) during summer breaks to visit my nanke (maternal grandparents). There are also fond memories of trips with my family to mostly Eastern Panjab, and one to Western Panjab in June 1984.

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Tuesday
,
27
October
2015

I Am a Sikh

How come you are asleep? Wake up, fool! You think your life in this world is the truth. – Guru Granth Sahib, p. 793 I am disenfranchised. Is it because they are afraid we’ll vote to return to Sarbat Khalsa? Self-governance bestowed by Guru Gobind Singh that will once again represent the values that the rest of South Asia looked up to us for? Sikhs are rising globally, renewing their allegiance to the Guru Granth-Panth.

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Tuesday
,
24
November
2015

Top Ten Truths About Guru Teghbahadar Sahib

Guru Teghbahadar Sahib’s life and legacy are unparalleled in the annals of world history. The Guru proclaimed: “Be very clear in your mind; the insightful person is the one who doesn’t fear anyone nor frightens anyone.”

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sun
,
Jan 12

Guru Nanak's Medicine for Life

Deakin University, Building LC

Join Harinder Singh as he discusses Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Medicine For Life.

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