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

Tuesday
,
22
February
2022

Beadbi: Distortions, Transgressions, Responses

Join Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur as they discuss the larger Sikh context around beadbi as a political problem in need of a political solution. What is beadbi ? How has it been dealt with historically? What are its Panthic and legal understandings? How does it relate to the reverence Sikhs collectively show to the Guru Granth Sahib? And how, given recent cases in the news, can we understand individual and collective responses given the current realities on the ground?

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
11
February
2022

Dan: Sikhi & Giving

Join us in conversation with Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur as we try to understand Dan from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). 

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
17
December
2021

Shukrana, Shahadat & Dat: The Real Gift

There is a deeply profound sentiment tied to martyrdom in Sikhi as well as in many other faiths groups. Throughout the ages, we have seen challenging circumstances of oppression that have chosen to desecrate the bodies of those who address it. 

watch now ⟶
Monday
,
18
October
2021

3Gs: Guru, Gurgaddi, Granth

In this conversation, we discuss the Sikh context of what Guru is, “Gurgaddi” as the enthronement to the status of the Guru in Sikh tradition, and how the eternal co-Guruship came about by the Command of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib to Granth-Panth.

watch now ⟶
Thursday
,
5
August
2021

The Political-Spiritual Being

Listen as Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur explore Miri-Piri from a Gurmat (Guru’s Way) perspective, as inferred from Bani (wisdom), Tavarikh (history), and Rahit (lifestyle). Event moderated by Manvinder Kaur.

watch now ⟶
Thursday
,
10
June
2021

1984 Remembrance: The Sikhs and the Indian State

Join Harinder Singh and Manpreet Singh as they discuss 1984 and explore its parallels with human rights movements today. 

watch now ⟶

Articles

Sunday
,
3
September
2017

Body Limbs and Breath Feel Comfort

In the tranquil embrace of Rag Kalian, Guru Arjan Sahib's Sabad unfolds with a soothing melody, invoking a sense of peace and blessing-seeking as the evening descends.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Monday
,
18
September
2017

I Have Come to Listen and Read the Teachings

This Sabad by Guru Arjan Sahib, composed in Sarang Rag, is a transformative message that underscores the profound importance of living a life centered around Nam.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Sunday
,
24
September
2017

Rain! O’ Revered Cloud! Delay Not Even a Bit

Guru Arjan Sahib’s composition in Rag Malar brings to life the profound emotional experience of longing and fulfillment, set against the backdrop of the monsoon rains.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Wednesday
,
27
September
2017

Love of the Beloved is Lovely

In the serene and contemplative ambiance of the Kedara rag, Guru Arjan Sahib's Sabad resonates with profound devotion and spirituality. Typically performed during the tranquil hours from 9 p.m. to midnight, the Kedara rag evokes deep emotions...

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Thursday
,
28
September
2017

Mundavani: Can You Seal the Riddle?

Guru Amardas Sahib presents the riddle to global seekers. Guru Arjan Sahib offers the options on the platter. What will the seekers consume? Will they navigate language and culture to understand it?

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Sunday
,
1
October
2017

Remembering, My Owner Divine

In the enchanting melody of Dhanasari, a rag that evokes happiness, Guru Arjan Sahib weaves a Sabad that transcends the realms of joy and spiritual connection.

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 ⟶