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
,
30
June
2020

Raj Karega Khalsa: The Khalsa & The Rule (ft. Harinder Singh) - The Sikh Cast | SikhRI

This episode of The Sikh Cast is from a live webinar recorded on June 29th, 2020. It features Senior Fellow Harinder Singh and The Sikh Cast host Manpreet Jassal, together they discuss the controversial sikh motto "Raj Karega Khalsa." They get into its usage from the 1700's to a modern context, discussing the how and the what of its meaning.

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Friday
,
21
August
2020

The Sikhs and The Panjab

73 years ago, two nation-states were carved by the British mapmaking: Hindustan and Pakistan. The historical Sikh Homeland in The Panjab was divided by the Radcliffe line. In now truncated Indian Panjab, a proportion of the Sikhs led many campaigns to fight for economic, political, state, human, and religious rights. What’s next to secure the Sikh aspirations and the Panjab’s autonomy?

watch now ⟶
,

The Sikhs and The Panjab

73 years ago, two nation-states were carved by the British mapmaking: Hindustan and Pakistan. The historical Sikh Homeland in The Panjab was divided by the Radcliffe line. In now truncated Indian Panjab, a proportion of the Sikhs led many campaigns to fight for economic, political, state, human, and religious rights. What’s next to secure the Sikh aspirations and the Panjab’s autonomy?

watch now ⟶
,

Miri-Piri: The Political-Spiritual Paradigm

The principle of Miri-Piri is often encapsulated with the two crossed swords in today's Sikh consciousness, one representing the political spirit of the Sikhs and the other representing the spiritual.

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Articles

Sunday
,
14
May
2017

O! Eternal-Guru, I Have Come to Your Sanctuary

In the serene setting of Rag Todi, Guru Ramdas Sahib's Sabad echoes with profound reverence, contemplation, and devotion. Todi, celebrated for its solemn and reflective atmosphere, envelops the listener in a tranquil and profound experience.

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Monday
,
15
May
2017

Bhai Maharaj Singh

On 15 May 1850, a ship named Mohammad Shah left the shores of Calcutta for Singapore. It was transporting two Sikh prisoners fighting for the independence of Panjab.

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Monday
,
22
May
2017

All-Pervasive Enables World-Ocean Crossing

In the ambiance of Rag Bairari, Guru Ramdas Sahib's Sabad echoes with profound spiritual depth and intricacy. Despite being an uncommon and challenging rag, Bairari's melodious essence evokes a sense of continuous improvement and progress.

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Monday
,
5
June
2017

Who are Mother, Father, Children and Wife? Who is Whose Sibling?

Guru Teghbahadur Sahib’s Sabad, composed in Sarang Rag, offers profound wisdom on the transitory nature of the world and the importance of anchoring oneself in the All-Pervasive One.

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Monday
,
5
June
2017

If I Address You as a Leader, How is That Expressing Your Greatness?

In the joyful rhythm of Rag Bilaval, Guru Nanak Sahib's Sabad unfolds with a profound sense of humility, devotion, and recognition of the greatness of the One.

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Monday
,
12
June
2017

I Cannot Live Without All-Pervasive For Even a Moment or an Instant

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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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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