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

Friday
,
19
June
2026

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

Recorded in London, Harinder Singh and moderator, Gurinder Kaur Chadha, reflect on the life and legacy of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, exploring his vision of sovereignty, compassion, courage, and spiritual freedom. 

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Tuesday
,
16
June
2026

Kirpan: Panthic Accountability & Developing Inner Grace

In this episode, join Jasleen Kaur, Harinder Singh, and Santbir Singh for a reflective and nuanced conversation about what this case has brought up about the Kirpan, Khalsa identity, masculinity, and our responsibility to one another.

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Wednesday
,
27
May
2026

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

Recorded in Brampton, the dialogue features Harinder Singh in conversation with Puneet Kaur Mann. They reflect on Guru Gobind Singh Sahib’s vision of sovereignty rooted not in power or dominance, but in grace, responsibility, and deep spiritual awareness.

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Tuesday
,
26
May
2026

Sacrilege & Sovereignty

Beadbi is back in the news, and this time, the Panjab government has passed a new law. But is a state-legislated solution what the Panth needs?

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Thursday
,
7
May
2026

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

Recorded in Vancouver, the dialogue features Harinder Singh — author of the book, educator, and co-founder of SikhRI — alongside author, psychiatrist, and advocate Dr. Shimi Kaur Kang.

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Friday
,
24
April
2026

Why do Sikhs sit on the ground during Divan and Langar?

Across cultures and throughout history, sitting on the ground has been a natural part of daily life. However, within the Sikh tradition, the Gurus intentionally established this practice in spaces of spiritual gathering and communal sharing.

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Podcasts

Tuesday
,
28
August
2018

Words of Faith - Ik Oankar

IkOankar (1Force, The One, Divine, Creator) is Guru Nanak Sahib’s offering to humanity, and the opening of the Guru Granth Sahib.

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Tuesday
,
28
August
2018

Words of Faith - Har

Did you know that "Har" is the most used word in Guru Granth Sahib?

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Tuesday
,
4
September
2018

Words of Faith - Nam

Words of Faith: a new series explaining the recurring words in Guru Granth Sahib. Nam is Identity. Nam is the culture of Sikhs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O_rtTswxyM --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-sikh-cast-sikhri/support

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Tuesday
,
11
September
2018

Words of Faith - Guru

Words of Faith: a new series explaining the recurring words in Guru Granth Sahib Is Guru perfection? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnx400HuVxU&t=25s --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-sikh-cast-sikhri/support

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Tuesday
,
18
September
2018

Words of Faith - Sabad

Words of Faith: a new series explaining the recurring words in Guru Granth Sahib Sabad is vast. It is infinite wisdom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrdpd9FRRug --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-sikh-cast-sikhri/support

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Tuesday
,
23
October
2018

State of the Panth Report: Gurduara

What’s the relationship between the Gurduara governance and the local sangat worldwide? We traced Gurduara’s history throughout the ages and surveyed the opinions of 1,172 self-identified Sikhs from 22 countries.

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Articles

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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Sunday
,
10
May
2009

Mothers in My Life

I realized the divine gift of human life through my biological mother, Kamaljit Kaur, in 1972. I thank Guru Sahib (perfection beyond prophets) for blessing her to bring me into this world.

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Thursday
,
5
November
2009

Maharaja of Firangi

Last week I walked into the first exhibition to comprehensively explore the extraordinarily rich culture of the maharajas. “Maharaja – the Splendor of India‘s Royal Courts” is the feature exhibit at the Victoria & Alberta Museum in London...

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Thursday
,
18
February
2010

Celebrating the Lover

The magnificence of Prof. Mehboob’s poetry heartened my faith; his magical words and transcending love arouses an unquenchable hunger in me.

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Saturday
,
20
March
2010

Holi: Color Me What?

Sikhs & Holi: Beyond colors, Guru Arjan Sahib speaks of Divine Love’s lasting hues. The essay explores Sikh traditions, Hola Mahalla, and spiritual engagement.

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sat
,
Sep 12

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

Los Olivos Community Center

Join us for a reflective conversation exploring Guru Gobind Singh Sahib’s life, legacy, and vision through the lens of sovereignty, leadership, courage, and collective responsibility.

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