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

Thursday
,
29
August
2019

#nanakshahi550 - How would Guru Nanak Sahib respond in today’s Social Media?

Social media plays a heavy role in the world we live in today, it's interesting to think about what Guru Nanak Sahib's perspective on it would be.This video series attempts to shatter the prevailing image of Guru Nanak Sahib as a peaceful saint.

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Thursday
,
29
August
2019

#nanakshahi550 - How shall we celebrate #Nanakshahi550?

Harinder Singh details the importance of #nanakshahi550 and how people as individuals and communities should commemorate it. This video series attempts to shatter the prevailing image of Guru Nanak Sahib as a peaceful saint.

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Thursday
,
29
August
2019

#nanakshahi550 - Wasn’t Guru Nanak Sahib Peaceful?

The topic of Guru representation is discussed by Gursahiba “Sahiba” Kaur and Harinder Singh. This video series attempts to shatter the prevailing image of Guru Nanak Sahib as a peaceful saint.

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Thursday
,
29
August
2019

#nanakshahi550 - What is the purpose of Guru Nanak Sahib’s advent?

Harinder Singh explores the purpose of Guru Nanak Sahib's advent. This video series attempts to shatter the prevailing image of Guru Nanak Sahib as a peaceful saint.

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Thursday
,
29
August
2019

#nanakshahi550 - Why did Guru Nanak Sahib choose Bhai Lahina as the next Guru?

Harinder Singh speaks about Guru Nanak Sahib's decision to make Bhai Lahina the next Guru. This video series attempts to shatter the prevailing image of Guru Nanak Sahib as a peaceful saint.

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Monday
,
26
August
2019

#nanakshahi550 - Do you want to join Guru Nanak Sahib's revolution?

Harinder Singh responds to the question of why one would want to join Guru Nanak's revolution. This video series attempts to shatter the prevailing image of Guru Nanak Sahib as a peaceful saint.

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Podcasts

Saturday
,
31
May
2025

The Question That Went Viral

Join Gurpartap Singh, Harinder Singh, and Jasleen Kaur as they discuss Gurpartap’s reflections on his interaction with Gandhi. How can we understand the context Gurpartap centered in his questions? How does Gurpartap feel about Gandhi’s response?

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Friday
,
6
December
2024

Sikhi & History: Bhai Vir Singh's Perspectives

Harinder Singh explores Bhai Vir Singh's unique framing of Sikh history at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, Delhi.

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Wednesday
,
12
June
2024

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

Listen as Santbir Singh 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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Thursday
,
23
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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Thursday
,
2
May
2024

1984 Path of the Warrior Saints

Join Harinder Singh and Mo Dhaliwal as they delve into the profound experiences of the Third Ghallughara (large-scale massacre) in India in 1984 and beyond.

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Wednesday
,
24
April
2024

Exploring the Sikh Genocide

The discussion aims to shed light on the systematic campaign of violence perpetrated by the Indian State against the Sikh community, which led to thousands of disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

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Articles

Monday
,
13
July
2020

Amritsar: Harimandar, Ramdaspur, Darbar, or Golden?

Amritsar, Ramdaspur, Harimandar, and Darbar – what are these terms referring to? Are they merely historical spaces? Do we have contemporary or near-contemporary accounts of the terms or of their development? Are there any citations in Guru Granth Sahib?

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sat
,
Jul 12

Vanjara: From Worldly Trader to Spiritual Seeker

Khalsa School, Glen Rock Gurudwara

This presentation explores Guru Ramdas Sahib’s Vanjara, situating it within its cultural framework and lived experience. We will reflect on the composition's foundational themes and their relevance to our daily...

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Fri
,
Jul 18

Rediscovering Sikh Literature: Unearthed Wisdom

KPU Surrey; Cedar Conference Centre

Join Harinder Singh as we refamiliarize ourselves with historical texts, including primary and secondary texts that shape our understanding of Sikh thought and tradition.

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Sun
,
Jul 20

Sidak 2025

Khalsa Centre

Sidak is a transformative educational experience designed for young Sikh adults aged 18 to 39. It brings together seekers from all over the world to learn, grow, and lead with purpose.

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