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

Monday
,
13
July
2026

Aftermath, Unintended Consequences, and Modern Critiques

How did ordinary Sikhs organize one of the largest nonviolent movements in Sikh history?

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Monday
,
13
July
2026

Mass Mobilization in the Gurduara Reform Movement

How did ordinary Sikhs organize one of the largest nonviolent movements in Sikh history?

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Monday
,
13
July
2026

Aftermath of the Massacre: Beginnings of the Reform Movement

The events of 1919 transformed Sikh political consciousness. But how did they lead to the Gurdwara Reform Movement?

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Monday
,
13
July
2026

Corruption & Discrimination: Sikh Institutions Under Colonial Rule

How did Sikh institutions come under the control of hereditary mahants during British rule? What conditions gave rise to one of the most significant reform movements in Sikh history?‍

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Tuesday
,
16
June
2026

Kirpan: Panthic Accountability & Developing Inner Grace

In this episode, join Jasleen Kaur, Harinder Singh, and Santbir Singh for a reflective and nuanced conversation about what this case has brought up about the Kirpan, Khalsa identity, masculinity, and our responsibility to one another.

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Friday
,
12
December
2025

Sikhi & Death: A Gurmat-Based Understanding

Death comes for all of us. Yet we live in a culture that endlessly tries to escape this reality—through our obsession with youth, medical interventions to delay aging, or the way death is sensationalized in popular media.

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Podcasts

Thursday
,
9
July
2026

Kirpan: Panthic Accountability & Developing Inner Grace

In this episode, join Jasleen Kaur, Harinder Singh, and Santbir Singh for a reflective and nuanced conversation about what this case has brought up about the Kirpan, Khalsa identity, masculinity, and our responsibility to one another.

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Tuesday
,
14
April
2026

Sirdar Kapur Singh's Idea of the Sikh Homeland

In this episode of the Sikh Cast, join researchers Santbir Singh and Damanpreet Singh as they explore the writings of Sirdar Kapur Singh, one of the leading Sikh thinkers of the twentieth century.

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Friday
,
10
April
2026

Sovereignty in Motion: Sikh Governance Models

In this episode of the Sikh Cast, join Researchers Santbir Singh and Damanpreet Singh as they reflect on Vaisakhi and the principle of sovereignty. The two discuss Santbir Singh’s article, titled: Sovereignty in Motion: Sikh Governance Models.

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Friday
,
23
January
2026

Sikhi & Death: A Gurmat-Based Understanding

In this podcast, we are invited to pause and reflect: What does Sikhi actually say about death? How are we meant to face it, understand it, and live in its awareness? 

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Thursday
,
7
November
2024

Heartbeats of ‘84

Join host Santbir Singh as he delves into the profound impact of 1984 through the personal reflections of guest Pritpal Singh.

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Saturday
,
29
June
2024

The Attack on Political Sikhi

Manvinder Kaur and Santbir Singh explore the events of 1984 that forever transformed the landscape of Sikh history and politics in India.

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Articles

Thursday
,
24
April
2014

Where Do We Go From Here?

We are not strangers to random acts of violence and discrimination. Although mass shootings have become far too common in America in recent years, rarely have these horrific crimes been targeted at one community.

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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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