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

Monday
,
5
December
2022

The 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhai Vir Singh

To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Bhai Vir Singh, Harinder Singh shares 5 notions with 5 seeker personalities prevalent in today’s world culture.

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Friday
,
28
October
2022

What Candle to Light this Divali? | Omni Punjabi & Harinder Singh

Divali is celebrated every year with massive parties and social events globally. People of Hindu and Sikh communities celebrate this day according to their religious and cultural traditions.

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Monday
,
10
October
2022

How to Develop a Sikh Response?

How to 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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Monday
,
15
August
2022

1947: South Asia, Panjab & Sikhs

After 75 years of the Partition, why are the significant sections of Panjabis and the Sikhs feeling estranged? What are the historical, cultural, geopolitical, trade, and economic contexts and realities?

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Thursday
,
4
August
2022

Harinder Singh & SanjhaTV: What is Sodhna?

Is “Sodhna” to test, examine, correct, punish, or kill?What is “sudhosu” in the Guru Granth Sahib?How did Guru Nanak Sahib live it?Why Sikh leadership must re-learn o

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Friday
,
20
May
2022

Our Relationship with The Guru Granth Sahib

Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur speak about a Sikh's relationship with The Guru Granth Sahib.

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Podcasts

Friday
,
9
October
2020

Sikhi & Sexuality

Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) has released its sixth report in the State of the Panth series titled Sikhi & Sexuality, exploring how Sikhi has influenced the collective behavior of the Sikhs when it comes to sex, pleasure, and procreation.

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Friday
,
2
October
2020

What's Happening: The Farmer Protests in Panjab

On September 20th, of this year, the Indian government passes a farming reform bill that makes sweeping changes in agricultural practices throughout the country. What has followed since then are mass protests by farmers alleging that the changes threaten their livelihood. Manpreet Singh and Harinder Singh come together to discuss what and why this is happening now, what is in the bill and what this could mean for the future of farmers in India.

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Friday
,
11
September
2020

Giani Dit Singh & Caste Dynamics: Surinder Singh Jodhka

Hear Harinder Singh and Surinder Singh Jodhka in a cross-continental conversation on historical and contemporary caste dynamics through the life and times of Giani Dit Singh. 

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Monday
,
9
October
2017

I am Nothing, I have Nothing, Nothing is Mine

The Sabad opens with a poignant tale of selflessness, where one assumes the role of a disguiser to protect the honor of the king's daughter. Despite harboring lustful and selfish desires, the individual's act preserves honor, highlighting the...

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Monday
,
6
November
2017

"First, Allah created Light. All beings are of Creation”

First, Allah1 created Light. All beings are of Creation.The entire universe was created from One Light—Who’s good, who’s bad? 1. O! People, O! Brother,doubt not, forget not.Creator, Creation,Creator within Creation,totally permeating all spaces. 1. Reflect Creator created many forms from one clay.Flawless is the clay pot, flawless is the Potter. 2. Within all is the same Eternal One.All things occur because of the One.Call that person the Banda,2who recognizes Hukam3 and knows the One. 3. Allah is imperceptible, cannot be perceived,Guru granted sweet jaggery-perception.Kabir says: My doubt destroyed,seeing Immaculate everywhere. 4. Bhagat Kabir ji in Rag Prabhati | Guru Granth Sahib 1349 1. The God in Arabic.2. Divines’ Own being.3. Literally, Order or Divine Will. Sikhi: To be in harmony with the Divine. ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੀ ॥ ਅਵਲਿ ਅਲਹ ਨੂਰੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕੇ ਸਭ ਬੰਦੇ ॥ਏਕ ਨੂਰ ਤੇ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਉਪਜਿਆ ਕਉਨ ਭਲੇ ਕੋ ਮੰਦੇ ॥੧॥ਲੋਗਾ ਭਰਮਿ ਨ ਭੂਲਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਖਲਕ ਖਲਕ ਮਹਿ ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਠਾਂਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਮਾਟੀ ਏਕ ਅਨੇਕ ਭਾਂਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਸਾਜੀ ਸਾਜਨਹਾਰੈ ॥ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਪੋਚ ਮਾਟੀ ਕੇ ਭਾਂਡੇ ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਪੋਚ ਕੁੰਭਾਰੈ ॥੨॥ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਸਚਾ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਸਭੁ ਕਛੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਨੈ ਸੁ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਨੈ ਬੰਦਾ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੋਈ ॥੩॥ਅਲਹੁ ਅਲਖੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਲਖਿਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਗੁੜੁ ਦੀਨਾ ਮੀਠਾ ॥ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਸੰਕਾ ਨਾਸੀ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਡੀਠਾ ॥੪॥੩॥

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Tuesday
,
12
December
2017

Sikh Cast Ep63 - "Ignorance-era is the carafe”

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad.

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Articles

Friday
,
1
March
2019

Akal Takht Sahib: Timeless Sovereign Throne

Akal Takht Sahib (Timeless Throne Sovereign) commands the worldly moral authority of the Sikhs, functioning as the institutional manifestation of the Miri-Piri (Political-Spiritual) doctrine as envisioned by the Gurus.

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Thursday
,
20
September
2018

Gurduara: A Sikh Place of Learning

The Gurduara is considered to be the heart of the Sikh community. Throughout all components of the Gurduara, the teachings of the Gurus must be visible in both abstract heights and concrete realities.

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Monday
,
5
February
2018

Anand Karaj: The Sikh Marriage

The Anand Karaj (Sikh marriage ceremony) is one of the life stages outlined with specific sentiments and ceremonies for Sikhs. Its procedures have received increased attention in recent years as a major community issue.

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Tuesday
,
24
October
2017

Who is a Sikh?

As the global Sikh population expands in size and complexion, the definition of a Sikh becomes increasingly important to support and shape the community. This study sets out to establish an understanding of how to conceptualize who is a Sikh.

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Wednesday
,
25
March
2020

COVID-19: A Sikh Perspective & Response

COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything for everyone. There are those who are serving the need of the hour, and there are those who are serving their own needs, that’s just how things have always been. Allow me to share the Sikh ethos as a reminder:

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Sunday
,
8
March
2009

Woman: Gateway to Freedom

“The whole Guru Grantha is the voice of a wedded women or a maiden pining in love of the Beautiful. Her nobleness in Guru Grantha is infinite, her freedom is of the highest. Both man and woman as sexes are forgotten in her voice.

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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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