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

Saturday
,
3
October
2020

Sikhi & Sexuality Webinar

Watch the entire thought provoking conversation with Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur as they try to understand and explain sexuality in the context of a Sikh worldview....

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Monday
,
14
September
2020

Surinder Singh Jodhka's Final Thoughts - Giani Dit Singh & Caste Dynamics

Surinder Singh Jodhka is Professor of Sociology at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He researches on different dimensions of social inequalities – old and new – and the processes of their reproduction....

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Wednesday
,
19
August
2020

Kapur Singh vs Jodh Singh

This clip is from our webinar "Raj Karega Khalsa: The Khalsa & The Rule" which discusses the clash between Kapur Singh and Jodh Singh. ...

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Monday
,
10
August
2020

"Is Khalistan the same Raj we are talking about?"

Harinder Singh, “Those who are working on the Khalistan issue need to articulate the movement as to what it is...With a clear and unified understanding, the movement could offer more answers as a result....

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Thursday
,
23
July
2020

Miri Piri Day with Harinder Singh

What is Miri-Piri? Did it start with the Sixth Sovereign Guru Harigobind Sahib? Are the two “swords” necessary? Why is this so important in Sikhi? How can it be a lived reality in current times of divided allegiances?...

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Thursday
,
4
June
2020

1984: The Devoted & The Worldly

1984 is considered the third Ghallughara in Sikh history. Why was Sri Harimandar Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib complex attacked? What’s the Sikh historical context? How must the memory be kept alive 36 years on?...

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Podcasts

Friday
,
5
June
2020

1984: The Devoted & The Worldly: Harinder Singh – The Sikh Cast | SikhRI

We're taking an in-depth look at the events of Operation Blue Star in 1984 in Amritsar, Panjab. It's considered the third Ghallughara, or massacre, in Sikh history. The Indian government assaulted the sacred Golden Temple Complex and Akal Takht. In this episode, SikhRI's Senior Fellow on Research and Policy speaks to a live aud...

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Tuesday
,
9
June
2020

A Black Lives Matter Conversation — The Sikh Cast | SikhRI

The Sikh Cast is taking a close look at the Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM). The United States is in a moment of turmoil following the death of Minnesota resident George Floyd, leading to an outpouring of protests across the country. Manpreet Singh holds a spirited conversation with special guests Corey Winchester, Harinder ...

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Friday
,
12
June
2020

Black Lives Matter & Sikhi: Harinder Singh – The Sikh Cast | SikhRI

The Sikh Cast Host has a one on one dialogue with Harinder Singh on how the Guru would deal with the Black Lives Matter Movement. They ask how can Sikhs around the world go beyond the protest and how do we explore it from the Sikhi lens. ...

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Tuesday
,
30
June
2020

Raj Karega Khalsa: The Khalsa & The Rule (ft. Harinder Singh) - The Sikh Cast | SikhRI

This episode of The Sikh Cast is from a live webinar recorded on June 29th, 2020. It features Senior Fellow Harinder Singh and The Sikh Cast host Manpreet Jassal, together they discuss the controversial sikh motto "Raj Karega Khalsa." They get into its usage from the 1700's to a modern context, discussing the how and the what o...

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Friday
,
21
August
2020

The Sikhs and The Panjab

73 years ago, two nation-states were carved by the British mapmaking: Hindustan and Pakistan. The historical Sikh Homeland in The Panjab was divided by the Radcliffe line. In now truncated Indian Panjab, a proportion of the Sikhs led many campaigns to fight for economic, political, state, human, and religious rights. What’s nex...

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,

The Sikhs and The Panjab

73 years ago, two nation-states were carved by the British mapmaking: Hindustan and Pakistan. The historical Sikh Homeland in The Panjab was divided by the Radcliffe line. In now truncated Indian Panjab, a proportion of the Sikhs led many campaigns to fight for economic, political, state, human, and religious rights. What’s nex...

watch now ⟶

Articles

Thursday
,
14
April
2016

How Sikhs Can Free Akal Takht

Every Sikh has the right to raise questions about the process that led to the recent Sarbat Khalsa. It lacked transparency or an open discussion about the Jathedar qualifications. But this is simply the tip of the iceberg when it comes to problems that......

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Tuesday
,
1
November
2016

My Vote for Next US President

On November 8, Americans will elect either the corruption-laden, policy-driven first female President or the sexual-assaulter, power-driven forty-fifth male President....

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Friday
,
11
November
2016

Sarbat Khalsa in Exile?

Panjab Kaur can’t decide what to consume to satisfy her sweet-tooth. Beaver Tails from Ottawa, where she was born, or Phirni (kind of rice pudding) from Panjab, her ancestral homeland? It’s a metaphor for this Sikh woman’s identity and also for a people who for more than 165 years have been stateless and scattered....

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Monday
,
16
January
2017

You & I, I & You; What’s the Difference?

This composition by Bhagat Ravidas is in Rag Siri, an ancient musical mode sung at dusk. Its mood is majestic, reflective, and meditative....

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Monday
,
16
January
2017

My Sovereign is Dyed in Color-Love

This composition by Guru Nanak Sahib is in Rag Siri, an ancient musical mode sung at dusk. Its mood is majestic, reflective, and meditative. The reflection: The Creator is in the creation. Everything is brimming with love, operating in love....

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Tuesday
,
17
January
2017

How May I Visualize Guru Gobind Singh Sahib?

In current times, the world is full of abundant images, pictures, portraits, artworks, and illustrations availing stocks and libraries as well as producing films and animations. What are the most appropriate images of the Guru Sahibs?...

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sat
,
May 17

Intellectual Sikh Lecture Series

Giani Ditt Singh Hall

Join us for an inspiring evening of learning and reflection at our next session in the Intellectual Sikh Lecture Series!

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Sun
,
May 11

Khalsa Raj and Banda Singh Bahadur

Glasgow Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib

Be inspired by the Khalsa Raj and fearless legacy of Banda Singh Bahadur. Join us in Glasgow for a thought-provoking lecture that dives into Sikh sovereignty, justice, and revolution.

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Mon
,
May 12

Sikhi and Leadership

The Social Hub Glasgow

Join us for an engaging conversation with Harinder Singh on Sikh leadership, values-driven action, and community impact - organized in collaboration with Sikh Professionals Scotland.

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