Who is Sangram Khopade?

Sangram Khopade is a 42-year-old beloved radio and TV personality, columnist, civic activist, and orator. His popularity is such that Pune and Sangram have become synonymous over the last 22 years. Sangram has built his relationship with the people of Pune by being a champion of their civic and socio-political issues. He is one of the rare media persons who openly propagates progressive, liberal, and secular ideas. His landmark work on dispelling the myth of the overpopulating Muslim, his reading of Dr Ambedkar’s ‘Riddles in Hinduism’ on air, and his attack on patriarchy through the ‘Aho Jaho’ campaign are examples of content that is almost never seen in mainstream media.

Anguished by the 2002 pogrom in Gujarat, Sangram quit his cushy radio job to join the NSUI and Youth Congress in Pune. Then after Shri Sam Pitroda introduced him to Shri Rahul Gandhi, he went on to work in Rae Bareilly & Amethi (2007-2009), and Delhi, the LS elections 2014 & 2019 for the INC. Since 2020, he has been working as the co-founder of ‘Jagaa Bharat’ to create counter-propaganda videos & a founding member of ‘Sangam’ to train Congress cadres across the country. Sangram is also an active member of Pune’s civil society movement. Sangram founded the ‘Sangram Punyasathi Foundation’ to focus on the burning problems of Pune and published a groundbreaking citizen's manifesto.

Why Sangram Khopade?

Sangram has the unique ability to simplify issues and get to the core of things. His work as a radio presenter over the past 22 years has prepared him to constantly deal with the average voter and explain complex issues easily. This is a huge strength, given how the lack of simplicity in messaging has been the bane of liberal, secular, and progressive forces in India.

Sangram is a trusted household name. That is because his work is not limited to the broadcast media. He has been practising active politics on the street for social, environmental, and educational issues. His instant and deep connect with the young, women, senior citizens, marginalised communities, municipality workers, health aficionados, environmental warriors, and junior government employees is enviable. This connection often transcends political boundaries, with leftists, centrists, and even right-wingers siding with his views and actions, which are generally accepted by all as beneficial to Pune, to India, and to humanity. His ability to connect across political lines through powerful communication & oratory, getting people to understand each other, and, in the process, breaking down the walls of prejudice, allows him to have these otherwise impossible conversations in right-wing-dominated Pune to win over people from the other side of the ideological divide.

Sangram Khopade is a liberal, secular, inclusive, humanist and a committed Congressman, as well as a media celebrity, a passionate Punekar, a loving husband, and an upright citizen of India.