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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Podcasts

Tuesday
,
24
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 03: Mentor Specified

In this fourth podcast, Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur discuss what it means to attach to the feet of the Supreme Being, the poisons we are collecting, and the remembrance we are being asked to collect instead.

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Monday
,
16
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 02: Yoga Disrupted

In this third podcast, Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur explore what it means to earn union in comparison to transactional relationships with the divine. 

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Tuesday
,
10
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 01: Renunciation Redefined

In this second podcast, Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur explore the context of Indic paradigms, rituals, systems, and popular understandings that the Guru addresses in his reframing of renunciation and non-attachment.

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Wednesday
,
4
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Introduction

Introducing Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 (Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10), new translations, and commentaries of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib's composition. This podcast is an introduction to the series.

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Thursday
,
8
September
2022

1947: South Asia, Panjab & Sikhs

Several new South Asian nation-states were born as the British Raj ended in 1947.

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Thursday
,
12
May
2022

Vaisakhi: Reviving Panthic Leadership

The Khalsa inauguration on Vaisakhi day in 1699 infused the Sikhs and gave them a structure of ideas and institutions that continue to shape their lives both individually and collectively. We will discuss Panthic leadership through Sikhi ideals and historical models. We will also explore the current deficits in leadership and their code of conduct. How can Love-drenched & Wisdom-centered impetus revive organic leadership in the vicinity of ideals!

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Articles

Sunday
,
14
March
2021

Nanakshahi: Calendar & ‘Era of Nanak the Sovereign’

For the Sikhs globally, 1 Cet 553 is the Nanakshahi new year’s day. Cet or Chet is the month. 553 is the Nanakshahi year. Do you know about Nanakshahi?

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Wednesday
,
10
February
2021

Baj: The Hawk and The Sikhs

This essay locates and contextualizes the hawk in foundational Sikh texts, history, and lifestyle. It also connects how Baj in Khalsa tradition affects the Sikh psyche when the people see it.

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Wednesday
,
24
August
2011

Faith as an Engine of Criminal Justice Reform

With all attention currently on the debt ceiling in the US, the faith community is calling on leadership to save money through addressing the wasteful costs of incarcerating 2.3 million Americans.

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Monday
,
9
November
2020

Allama Iqbal and The Sikhs

Understanding Dr. Iqbal’s perspectives on Guru Nanak Sahib and the Khalsa, his interactions with Sirdar Kapur Singh and his favorite compositions from the Guru Granth Sahib.

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Monday
,
29
May
2017

Guru Arjan Sahib: The Sovereign-Martyr

Guru Arjan Sahib was martyred as per the orders of Emperor Jahangir on 30 May 1606.

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Friday
,
16
June
2017

June 1984 Ghallughara

The June 1984 army action on the Golden Temple complex – Sri Harimandar Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib – was a tipping point in the Sikh and Indian history 33 years ago.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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