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
,
8
October
2020

How should one think of polygamy in a Sikhi framework?

Jasleen Kaur and Harinder Singh discuss polygamy and the Sikhi framework from the State of the Panth report.

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Tuesday
,
6
October
2020

Why was sexuality an important topic to cover?

Jasleen Kaur talks about why we chose to talk about sexuality for the state of the Panth report.

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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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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

Tuesday
,
24
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 03: Mentor Specified

In the third composition of the “Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10” (popularly Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10) series, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib emphasizes seeking mentorship from the 1. 

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Tuesday
,
17
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 02: Yoga Disrupted

In the second composition of the “Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10” (popularly Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10) series, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib emphasizes union with the 1.

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Tuesday
,
10
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 01: Renunciation Redefined

In the first composition of the “Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10” (popularly Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10) series, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib redefines everything yogic. Yoga is reframed as the original idea of union or the connection with the 1.

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Thursday
,
5
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10

Multiple sources of knowledge, visits to historical places, and personal experiences to date fuel the deeper meanings of Sabad Hajare (popularly Shabad Hazare) attributed to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.

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Monday
,
12
September
2022

From Pothi to Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Arjan Sahib gifted the eventual Guru Granth Sahib to humanity. Why did the Guru envision it? How did the Guru compile it? What did the Guru curate?

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Sunday
,
31
July
2022

At Fifty, The Foot Falters

Personal reflections on wrestling with being ‘in the world’ but ‘not of the world’ while the why, what, and how ‘of the world’ keeps creeping in. 

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sun
,
Jun 8

June: Shahadats from 1606 to 1984

Illinois Sikh Community Center, Wheaton Gurdwara

Shahadats in Sikh History: Harinder Singh will explore martyrdoms from 1606 to 1984, delving into the causes behind them and how they are commemorated.

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Sun
,
Jun 8

Guru Granth Sahib: Making the Wisdom Accessible

Illinois Sikh Community Center, Wheaton Gurdwara

Join Harinder Singh and Prof. Mohanbir Singh Sawhney for an enriching presentation and Q&A in Chicago.

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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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