Santbir Singh

Research Associate

Santbir Singh is a Research Associate with SikhRI. He is currently doing his Ph.D. in Sociology at York University. His graduate research focuses on Sikh activism and the inherent relationship between Sikhi and anarchism explored through historical and contemporary Sikh movements, such as the Kisān Morcha (Farmer’s Protests) of 2020-2021. 

Santbir Singh has served as an educator and activist in the Sikh community for over two decades. He continues cultivating a deeper relationship with Sabad Guru while focusing on Sikh inspirations for social activism, feminism, and decolonization through a multifaceted critical analysis using different schools of thought and tradition.

Santbir Singh is a facilitator at Sidak and an alumnus of Sidak 2012. He lives on Wendat, Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, Mississauga, Hiawatha, Alderville & Métis Territory on Williams Treaties land (colonially known as Toronto), Canada, with his wonderful wife, incredible children, and wild dog.

Videos

Tuesday
,
12
August
2025

Sabad 4: The Speech of Truth

Our final session examines the last sabad of Babarvani (Utterances on Babar), found in Rag Tilang (Guru Granth Sahib, p. 722). This sabad is unique in its structure, beginning as a direct address to Bhai Lalo, the Guru’s devoted Sikh who witnessed the...

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Tuesday
,
12
August
2025

Sabad 3: The Corruption of Wealth

In this session, we explore the third sabad from Babarvani (Utterances on Babar) and Rag Asa (Guru Granth Sahib, p. 417). Guru Nanak Sahib exposes the fleeting nature of material wealth, describing how the riches of the elite vanish in an instant with...

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Tuesday
,
12
August
2025

Sabad 2: The Plight of Women in War

This session focuses on the second sabad from Babarvani (Utterances on Babar) and also in Rag Asa (Guru Granth Sahib, p. 417).

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Tuesday
,
12
August
2025

Introduction to Babarvani and Sabad 1: The Terror of Hindustan

In our first session, we explore the background of Babarvani (Utterances on Babar), beginning with the meaning of Vani, the identity of Babar, and the political landscape of South Asia at the time.

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Wednesday
,
9
July
2025

Seva in Sikh History

This session traces the evolution of Seva throughout Sikh history, from the time of the Gurus to the present day. It examines Seva in its many forms—spiritual, communal, and revolutionary—while connecting it to broader frameworks of the Sikh revolution...

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Wednesday
,
9
July
2025

Seva: The Divine Adoration

In this three-part session, we will explore Seva through the Gurmat Framework, diving into its essence as revealed in Bani, Sikh history, and its role in our personal and Panthic lives today.

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Podcasts

Friday
,
28
June
2024

Why Was Bhindranwale There?

Santbir Singh delves into the complex and sometimes controversial legacy of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale during the events of June 1984.

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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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Sunday
,
9
June
2024

No More Blue Stars

Santbir Singh joins Manvinder Kaur to discuss his recent article, “No More Blue Stars.” They delve into the evolving terminology surrounding the events of 1984 and explore ways the community can reclaim and reshape the narrative of these events.

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Monday
,
18
March
2024

Getting to Know Rani Jind Kaur: Episode 2

Tune in to Santbir Singh and Sean Holden as they delve into the captivating tale of Rani Jind Kaur, the last queen of Panjab, in the inaugural episode of this podcast series. But why is it crucial for us to unravel her narrative?

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Monday
,
18
March
2024

Getting to Know Rani Jind Kaur: Episode 1

Tune in to Santbir Singh and Sean Holden as they delve into the captivating tale of Rani Jind Kaur, the last queen of Panjab, in the inaugural episode of this podcast series. But why is it crucial for us to unravel her narrative?

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Tuesday
,
13
April
2021

Countdown to Vaisakhi 2021: Santbir Singh

Santbir Singh, Sidak Facilitator at Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) shares his reflection on Vaisakhi.

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Articles

Sunday
,
31
May
2026

Pierced by Compassion

Some sabads remain on the page. Others begin to live inside us. In this reflection, Santbir Singh returns to a sabad of Guru Nanak Sahib on Ang 795 that has become an ardas in moments of grief, stress, and surrender.

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Tuesday
,
7
April
2026

Sovereignty in Motion: Sikh Governance Models

In the Sikh tradition, sovereignty is a boon of the Divine, entrusted to the House of Nanak and carried forward through the Gurus into the dual institution of Guru Granth and Panth.

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Friday
,
27
February
2026

Guru Harikrishan Sahib: Capacity, Care, and the Rights of Children

Explore how Guru Harikrishan Sahib redefined leadership as a child. This article invites readers to reflect on what the Guru’s life teaches us about children’s rights, capacity, and Sikh ethics of care.

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Thursday
,
29
January
2026

Joy as Refusal

Guru Gobind Sahib’s engagement with aesthetics, joy, and poetry became tools against imperial attempts to shrink Sikh life into fear, silence, and mere survival.

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Tuesday
,
28
October
2025

Guru Harirai Sahib: The Healer and the Defender

Guru Har Rai’s reign was one of seeming contradictions: compassion and ever-readiness to fight for sovereignty, spiritual and political development, and strengthening and consolidating innovations of earlier Gurus.

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Monday
,
8
September
2025

The Legacy of Jaswant Singh Khalra

30 years later, what can we learn from Jaswant Singh Khalra—who exposed Punjab Police crimes of extrajudicial killings and cremations?

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sun
,
Jul 26

Sidak 2026

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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