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

Monday
,
7
July
2025

What role does karma play in Sikhi?

In Sikhi, karma is the idea that our actions shape our outcomes. We need to learn to own our actions, and we need to make good mental decisions. If we are thinking clearly, our behaviors will be better.

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Monday
,
16
June
2025

What is the meaning of the Turban?

In this episode of Ask SikhRI, we go deeper into the meaning, the choice, and the everyday practice of wearing a turban.

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Monday
,
26
May
2025

Why do Sikhs cover their heads?

Sikhs cover their heads when they feel the presence of the Divine. The larger idea is that we feel the Divine is in every place, but we may not feel that presence all the time.

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Thursday
,
22
May
2025

The Question That Went Viral

In April, Indian National Congress (INC) party member Rahul Gandhi stopped at Brown University for a speaking engagement. During the Q&A, Sidak Alumni Gurpartap Singh asked him what the INC is doing to reconcile with the Sikhs, and their interaction...

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Monday
,
14
April
2025

Countdown to Vaisakhi 2025: Harinder Singh

Harinder Singh is the Co-Founder & Innovation Director at SikhRI. He appears on radio and television programs and speaks at universities, parliaments, museums, conferences, and civic institutions.

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Wednesday
,
26
March
2025

Make Akal Takht Sahib Truly Azad

There is a deepening crisis within the Sikh community—centered on the control and integrity of Akal Takht Sahib. On March 22, 2025, at Gurdwara Sacramento Sikh Society (Bradshaw), Harinder Singh delivered a powerful and timely talk—in Panjabi—on what must

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Podcasts

Saturday
,
31
May
2025

The Question That Went Viral

Join Gurpartap Singh, Harinder Singh, and Jasleen Kaur as they discuss Gurpartap’s reflections on his interaction with Gandhi. How can we understand the context Gurpartap centered in his questions? How does Gurpartap feel about Gandhi’s response?

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Friday
,
6
December
2024

Sikhi & History: Bhai Vir Singh's Perspectives

Harinder Singh explores Bhai Vir Singh's unique framing of Sikh history at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan, Delhi.

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Wednesday
,
12
June
2024

Sant Jarnail Singh: The Man, the Myth, the Truth

Listen as Santbir Singh delves into an in-depth conversation with Harinder Singh about Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a pivotal figure in 20th-century Sikh history.

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Thursday
,
23
May
2024

1984 Path of the Warrior Saints

Harinder Singh, Senior Fellow of Research and Policy at the Sikh Research Institute, delves deeper into the themes of Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation, and Prevention.

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Thursday
,
2
May
2024

1984 Path of the Warrior Saints

Join Harinder Singh and Mo Dhaliwal as they delve into the profound experiences of the Third Ghallughara (large-scale massacre) in India in 1984 and beyond.

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Wednesday
,
24
April
2024

Exploring the Sikh Genocide

The discussion aims to shed light on the systematic campaign of violence perpetrated by the Indian State against the Sikh community, which led to thousands of disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

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Articles

Sunday
,
3
November
2013

The Sikh ‘Game of Thrones’

The true rulers are connected with the Truth. The earth-owners are not rulers for they suffer in other love. Is it worth praising, perishable, momentous reality?

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Saturday
,
22
February
2014

NarSinghs

The Sidak Retreat, San Antonio, Texas, USA Guru Granth Sahib is replete with references to the mythical tyrant-oppressor Harnakash and his arch-enemy and victim, his own infant son Prahlad.

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Thursday
,
24
April
2014

Are You Ready to Be a Decision-maker for Sikhs?

I heard as recently as last Sunday at a Baltimore gurduara, that Sikhs don't know how to make their own decisions. True, and false.

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Tuesday
,
13
May
2014

Mata-e-Panth: Sahib Kaur

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Wednesday
,
5
November
2014

Wanted – A New Sikh

In the struggle to solve the crisis facing the Sikhs today, I believe the tide is finally shifting. We are beginning to win the fight, but there is much more work to do and the clock is ticking away.

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Wednesday
,
8
April
2015

Punjabi in Me

Did I ever leave Panjab? Growing up in the west, my earliest memory of Panjab is taking a train ride from Jhansi (UP) to Ludhiana (Panjab) during summer breaks to visit my nanke (maternal grandparents). There are also fond memories of trips with my family to mostly Eastern Panjab, and one to Western Panjab in June 1984.

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sat
,
Oct 18

Guru Teghbahadar Sahib: The Ninth Sovereign

SevaSpaces Tysons

Join us for an upcoming event commemorating Guru Teghbahadar Sahib: The Ninth Sovereign with SikhRI speaker Harinder Singh.

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Wed
,
Sep 24

Guru Teghbahadar Sahib: The Perfect Sword-Warrior Sovereign

Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan

Harinder Singh of SikhRI will be speaking at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan in New Delhi.

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Sat
,
Nov 22

SikhRI Fundraiser

Grand Taj Banquet Hall

Experience an afternoon of inspiring stories, meaningful conversation, and a collective vision for a brighter future. Together, let’s build a lasting impact.

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