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
,
18
October
2012

Ghallughara & I

SikhRI's Chief Programming Officer Harinder Singh @ Gurduara Sahib Dasmesh Darbar in Surrey, BC talking about Ghallugharas and the Sikh Diaspora.

watch now ⟶
Monday
,
15
October
2012

Sikhi Through Poetry

Selections from Muhhamad Iqbal, Allah Yar Khan Jogi, Shah Muhammad, Vir Singh, Puran Singh, and Afzal Ahsan Randhawa will be covered to present Sikhi as represented in poetry from 1469 to present.

watch now ⟶
Monday
,
16
July
2012

Liv - Sexuality In Sikhi

Sexuality is a polarizing topic, which people often turn to religion seeking concrete moral pronouncements. This presentation seeks to understand the Sikh take on the issue by examining ideas from doctrine, history and lifestyle. How does Sikhi shape human behavior and what is its outlook on issues surrounding sex, pleasure, procreation, and sexual preferences? How does this outlook connect to our ideas about relationships, morality, spirituality, and society?

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
13
July
2012

Jus Panjabi Interview: Women & Decision Making Part 1

Harinder Singh on the Jus GalBaat Live show with host Sumandeep Kaur.

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
13
July
2012

Jus Panjabi Interview: Women & Decision Making Part 2

Harinder Singh on the Jus GalBaat Live show with host Sumandeep Kaur.

watch now ⟶
Sunday
,
13
May
2012

Ma: Catalyst for Change

Harinder Singh speaks at the Guru Nanak Religious Society in Columbus, Ohio. He touches on topics such as: Gurmat & World traditions, From inception onwards, Biological to Spiritual, Mothers in my life, and What's needed in 2012

watch now ⟶

Podcasts

Friday
,
6
February
2026

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom

A reflective book conversation on Guru Gobind Singh Sahib: Life, Vision & Wisdom, marking 350 years of Gurgaddi.

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
19
September
2025

Witness to Truth & Martyrdom

Listen as Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur reflect on the life and legacy of Jaswant Singh Khalra, popular narratives around him, and the lesser-known facts about his work.

watch now ⟶
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?

watch now ⟶
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.

watch now ⟶
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.

watch now ⟶
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.

watch now ⟶

Articles

Tuesday
,
14
February
2017

Love Amongst Loves?

I am sitting next to “Bhagvan” as I type this blog on Valentine’s Day. Bhagvan is someone glorious, illustrious, revered, venerable, divine, or holy.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Monday
,
20
February
2017

Guru Hasn’t Held it Back From the Mind

Explore the Sabad (Shabad) of Guru Arjan Sahib in Rag (raag) Asa from the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. Sabad is the bond between the Guru and the Sikh. Read the translation done by Harinder Singh and Inni Kaur.

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

The Forgotten Babbars

Babbar Akali (Babbars) movement (1921-1925) was a radical outgrowth of the Akali movement for the reform of Gurduaras. The latter practiced non-violence of the strong to free Gurduaras from state-sponsored “priests” suffering physical injury and...

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

I Have No Worthy Flower for the Incomparable

In this Sabad attributed to Bhagat Ravidas, a profound contemplation unfolds. This composition finds its musical foundation in Rag Gujri, an ancient melodic mode reserved for the early hours of the day, evoking a sense of serene awakening.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Tuesday
,
7
March
2017

Articulate the Way, and I Shall Follow

Composed by Guru Ramdas Sahib, this piece is set in Rag Devgandhari, an ancient melodic mode traditionally sung during the second quarter of the day. This Sabad encapsulates the yearning to connect with the radiant Beloved.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Wednesday
,
8
March
2017

The Next Panjab Kaur

Do you recall Panjab Kaur?

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

Presenting at Upcoming Events

Harinder Singh
 is not presenting at any upcoming events as of yet. Explore our upcoming events.