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
,
12
March
2026

Why weren’t there any more Gurus after Guru Gobind Singh Sahib?

In this episode of Ask SikhRI, we explore a question often asked in Sikh history and thought: Why weren’t there any more Gurus after Guru Gobind Singh Sahib?

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
13
February
2026

Why is Amrit Vela an important time to contemplate the divine?

In this Ask SikhRI episode, we explore the literal meaning of Amrit (the immortal, beyond death) and Vela (time), and how this practice invites an intimate connection with the Divine.

watch now ⟶
Wednesday
,
28
January
2026

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

This video presents a rich and reflective book conversation on Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom, authored by Harinder Singh, marking the 350th anniversary of the Gurgaddi (Coronation) of the Tenth Guru.

watch now ⟶
Wednesday
,
21
January
2026

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

This video features a deeply reflective book conversation on Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom, authored by Harinder Singh, marking the 350th anniversary of the Gurgaddi (Coronation) of the Tenth Guru.

watch now ⟶
Wednesday
,
24
December
2025

The Real Guru Teghbahadar Sahib

At a SikhRI fundraising gathering in British Columbia, Harinder Singh delivered a talk commemorating the 350th Shahidi Purab of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib, reflecting on the theme Wisdom, Courage, and Sovereignty.

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
9
December
2025

Sikh Resilience & Remembrance in December

In this special BBC Radio London segment, host Shay Grewal speaks with Harinder Singh about why the month of December holds deep significance for Sikhs around the world.

watch now ⟶

Podcasts

Friday
,
6
October
2023

Understanding Canada-India Disharmony in the Sikh-Panjab Context

Listen as Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur discuss the larger context around the latest events in Canada. 

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
26
September
2023

Why do Sikhs recite the same daily prayers?

“…it really has nothing to do with whether it is less or more. It has everything to do with that these are the aspirations of the community. When we come together as a community, we do a minimum of these recitations.

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
12
September
2023

What is the significance of hair for Sikhs?

"Hair in Sikhi is part of the protocol, as well as part of the tradition...You emulate the modalities you believe in of the ones you love." In this podcast series, we dive into the community's greatest questions asked by people like YOU.

watch now ⟶
Thursday
,
18
May
2023

Women & Gender in Sikhi

Listen as Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur explore Women & Gender in Sikhi from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle).

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
31
March
2023

Understanding the Crackdown In Panjab & Protests in Diaspora

Listen as Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur discuss the larger Sikh context around the latest events in Panjab. What is the background needed in order to make an informed judgement of current events?

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
14
March
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 10: 1’s Identification

In this eleventh and final podcast of the series, Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur explore Guru Gobind Singh Sahib’s utterances on the 1’s Identification.

watch now ⟶

Articles

Monday
,
4
December
2017

One Who Calls Oneself a Sikh of the Guru, Rises at Dawn, Contemplates on All-Pervasive Nam

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.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Monday
,
11
December
2017

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.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
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...

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
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?

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
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.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Thursday
,
21
February
2019

Creator Administers Complete Justice

This Sabad, composed by Guru Arjan Sahib in the Gauri rag conveys the deep anguish of separation but also the enduring hope that sustains the seeker.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶

Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sat
,
Apr 18

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

Tsai Auditorium S010, CGIS South Building

Join author Harinder Singh for a talk on Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom, exploring the idea of sovereignty that shaped the life and legacy of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.

Learn More ⟶
Sat
,
Mar 28

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

Copper Indian Cuisine

Join author Harinder Singh for a conversation on Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom.

Learn More ⟶
Sun
,
Apr 5

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

BMO Great Hall, VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre

This gathering invites seekers, thinkers, and readers to consider how the Guru’s sovereign spirit calls us to stand for universal justice and human dignity.

Learn More ⟶