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
,
20
February
2021

Nankana Sahib Massacre

Harinder Singh and Manpreet Singh talk about what happened 100 years ago at Nankana Sahib. Today it's known as Saka Nankana or Nankana Sahib Massacre. Why did the Sikhs protest, what happened and how does it relate to what's going on today with the Farmers Protest in India? 

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Saturday
,
16
January
2021

Farmers Protest: Mainstream, Media, & Morcha

Watch the entire conversation with Nimrat Kaur, and Sandeep Singh on the farmer protests moderated by Harinder Singh. This webinar discusses the protests as a pan India movement beyond the 3 Farm Bills. They focus on the Indian and International media coverage and the Sikh historical context of Morcha in Delhi and Panjab.

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Friday
,
18
December
2020

#FarmerProtests with Harinder Singh

Harinder Singh and Manpreet Singh talk about the current farmer protests happening in India and it's impact on the Sikh Diaspora. They talk about langar, Diljit, Modi, social media, what to expect next and much more!

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Saturday
,
5
December
2020

Bhai Vir Singh: Consciousness Streams Beyond Eras

Who was Bhai Vir Singh, and why is he called the "sixth river of Panjab"? A century ago, Bhai Vir Singh profoundly influenced Panjab—then a unified region in South Asia, now divided between India and Pakistan.

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Monday
,
19
October
2020

Guru Granth Sahib Project: Internal conflicts, debates and collaboration

Collaboration, debates and how we work internally to make sure we are putting our best work in the Project? Harinder Singh, Project Lead, Reviewer & English Commentator explains.

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Thursday
,
15
October
2020

How do we reconcile and integrate the different "schools of thought"?

Dr. Jaswant Singh, Content Lead, Reviewer & Panjabi Transcreator explains how they reconcile and integrate the different "schools of thought" when it comes to the project.

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Podcasts

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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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
,
30
October
2017

"Be-gam-pura" – City’s name is "Sorrow-less-ville"

The imagery of "Be-gam-pura" conveys a city free from grief, fear, and oppression—a place of eternal sovereignty and stability. This vision is not of a distant afterlife but a present reality available through inner realization.

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Articles

Monday
,
11
December
2017

ਕਲਿ ਕਲਵਾਲੀ ਕਾਮੁ ਮਦੁ ਮਨੂਆ ਪੀਵਣਹਾਰੁ ॥ 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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Sunday
,
17
December
2017

Enticer Enticed My Mind

Guru Nanak Sahib's Sabad, set in the serene and simple Sarang Rag, beautifully captures the essence of devotion and spiritual surrender amidst the oppressive heat of a summer afternoon. Sarang, associated with the late afternoon when the...

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Thursday
,
3
May
2018

Sikh Nation’s Sovereign: Jassa Singh Ahluvalia

Why do the Sikhs need to know about Jassa Singh? How does one prepare to lead the Sikh nation while witnessing multiple genocidal campaigns? What are the traits of Sikh leadership?

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Sunday
,
10
February
2019

Sikh-Canadians in 2019 Electoral Politics

Sikhs have long served as a political football for all Canadian political parties, it’s time to demand the representation we deserve.

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Thursday
,
21
February
2019

Reflect on the Truth and the Contentment

Guru Arjan Sahib’s Mundavani (seal) serves as a closing testament to the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, offering a metaphor that encapsulates the essence of spiritual wisdom.

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Thursday
,
21
February
2019

ਗਰੀਬਾ ਊਪਰਿ ਜਿ ਖਿੰਜੈ ਦਾੜੀ ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਸ ਅਗਨਿ ਮਹਿ ਸਾੜੀ Creator Administers Complete Justice

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. 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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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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