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
,
10
August
2017

What is the goal of a Sikh?

SikhRi presents Part 3 of a six-part series featuring videos where we provide answers to fundamental questions....

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Thursday
,
10
August
2017

Why should I fear God?

SikhRi presents Part 2 of a six-part series featuring videos where we provide answers to fundamental questions....

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Thursday
,
10
August
2017

What is God to a Sikh?

SikhRi presents Part 1 of a six-part series featuring videos where we provide answers to fundamental questions....

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Tuesday
,
21
March
2017

Panjabi Poets Saluting ‘Emperor-Prophet’

Discussed topics: • Context of 350th Prakash Purab (Illumination Day) Commemorations • Tribute to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, Nanak the Tenth Sovereign • Sikh, Hindu and Muslim Poets from Land of Five Rivers • Celebration to mark World Poetry Day on 21 Mar 2017 • Life, Legacy & Impact on Panjab, South Asia, and Globe About the Pre...

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Saturday
,
24
September
2016

Harinder Singh - "Bhai Vir Singh: Vision & Leadership"

This presentation surveys details of Bhai Vir Singh’s life. It attempts to present Bhai Sahib’s life story, highlighting various aspects of his Sikh and Panjabi life. ...

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Sunday
,
5
June
2016

1984: After the Darkness

1984: After the Darkness - June-November in Personal Memory - Genocide in Collective Sikh Psyche - Confronting Injustice with Light-Love ...

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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

Saturday
,
31
July
2010

Life at Thirty-Eight

On 31 July 1972, I was given a graceful opportunity to land on earth. Being of the Creator and Creation, I am to experience the Divine freedom while enjoying and living life to its fullest. ...

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Thursday
,
24
March
2011

Two Bouquets: In Memory of Sardarni Mohinder Kaur

A life immersed in prayer and service. A life that radiated love. A life to be celebrated. ...

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Saturday
,
25
September
2010

Remembering An Insightful Sikh

Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib proclaims that giani (insightful one) is the one whose mind is clear about this dictum: Fear none and frighten none. Giani Harinder Singh is one such fellow who I had the great fortune of connecting with in the last decade. ...

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Tuesday
,
6
December
2011

Sidh Gosti - Learning Through Dialogue

Presented by Harinder Singh...

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Friday
,
25
March
2011

Saluting the Ambassador

From my initial impressions in Des Moines, Iowa to multiple meetings in New Delhi, the author shares a strong representative-like personality of Patwant Singh who promoted the Sikh understanding to the world with vigor and courage. ...

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Saturday
,
30
April
2011

The Sikh Vote on May 2

Sikhs are now 2% of Canadian population and shining. At least 15 candidates from all three major parties (CPC, LPC & NDP) of Sikh and/or Panjabi descent are on the ballots....

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sat
,
Jul 12

Vanjara: From Worldly Trader to Spiritual Seeker

Khalsa School, Glen Rock Gurudwara

This presentation explores Guru Ramdas Sahib’s Vanjara, situating it within its cultural framework and lived experience. We will reflect on the composition's foundational themes and their relevance to our daily...

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Fri
,
Jul 18

Rediscovering Sikh Literature: Unearthed Wisdom

KPU Surrey; Cedar Conference Centre

Join Harinder Singh as we refamiliarize ourselves with historical texts, including primary and secondary texts that shape our understanding of Sikh thought and tradition.

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Sun
,
Jul 20

Sidak 2025

Khalsa Centre

Sidak is a transformative educational experience designed for young Sikh adults aged 18 to 39. It brings together seekers from all over the world to learn, grow, and lead with purpose.

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