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

Thursday
,
8
September
2022

1947: South Asia, Panjab & Sikhs

Several new South Asian nation-states were born as the British Raj ended in 1947.

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Thursday
,
12
May
2022

Vaisakhi: Reviving Panthic Leadership

The Khalsa inauguration on Vaisakhi day in 1699 infused the Sikhs and gave them a structure of ideas and institutions that continue to shape their lives both individually and collectively. We will discuss Panthic leadership through Sikhi ideals and historical models. We will also explore the current deficits in leadership and their code of conduct. How can Love-drenched & Wisdom-centered impetus revive organic leadership in the vicinity of ideals!

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Tuesday
,
22
February
2022

Beadbi: Distortions, Transgressions, Responses

Join Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur as they discuss the larger Sikh context around beadbi as a political problem in need of a political solution. What is beadbi ? How has it been dealt with historically? What are its Panthic and legal understandings? How does it relate to the reverence Sikhs collectively show to the Guru Granth Sahib? And how, given recent cases in the news, can we understand individual and collective responses given the current realities on the ground?

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Friday
,
11
February
2022

Dan: Sikhi & Giving

Join us in conversation with Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur as we try to understand Dan from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). 

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Friday
,
17
December
2021

Shukrana, Shahadat & Dat: The Real Gift

There is a deeply profound sentiment tied to martyrdom in Sikhi as well as in many other faiths groups. Throughout the ages, we have seen challenging circumstances of oppression that have chosen to desecrate the bodies of those who address it. 

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Monday
,
18
October
2021

3Gs: Guru, Gurgaddi, Granth

In this conversation, we discuss the Sikh context of what Guru is, “Gurgaddi” as the enthronement to the status of the Guru in Sikh tradition, and how the eternal co-Guruship came about by the Command of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib to Granth-Panth.

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Articles

Friday
,
30
June
2017

Brimful Immortal Nectar is Within the Home

In this trans-creation, we have chosen to keep the repeating words in the Sabad same. We aspire to learn and retain the Divine attribute as used in the original Sabad and avoid terms like God or Lord.

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Sunday
,
2
July
2017

Surrender Mind and Body, Forsake Societal Norms

In the vibrant rhythm of rag Suhi, Guru Arjan Sahib's Sabad emanates profound love and devotion, evoking a sense of reverential adoration.

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Monday
,
10
July
2017

O! Ignorant. Wake up! Why Are You Asleep?

Bhagat Ravidas's Sabad captures the essence of deep love, devotion, and reverential adoration in the resonance of Rag Suhi.

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Wednesday
,
19
July
2017

That Protector Protected. All Ailments Eradicated.

In the vibrant melody of Rag Bilaval, Guru Arjan Sahib's Sabad resonates with themes of divine protection, grace, and spiritual sustenance. Bilaval, known for its uplifting mood, provides a fitting backdrop for this expression of profound faith and...

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Wednesday
,
26
July
2017

I Surrender to My Own Guru

In the melodic embrace of Jaitsari rag, Guru Ramdas Sahib's Sabad unfolds with poignant sincerity, echoing the heartfelt sentiment of dependence and longing.

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Monday
,
31
July
2017

How to Develop a Sikh Response

Who can curate a Sikh response? Why is a framework necessary? What is Gurmat? How do Bani, Tvarikh, and Rahit consitute Gurmat? Which sources can be classified as primary and secondary?

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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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