Gulabi (Pink) Gang -The Indian women vigilantes
When women take things in their hand, it not always peaceful. Once armed with bamboo sticks, trained in self defence and protected by their unity there is no stopping for an oppressed. The members of Gulabi Gang know how to take matters in their hand and do justice in the quickest way possible by delivering the punishment then and there and in the most brutal and shameful way one can imagine.
Written by Ankit Chhabra
The Gulabi Gang was initially intended to punish oppressive husbands, fathers and brothers, and combat domestic violence and desertion. The members of the gang would accost male offenders and prevail upon them to see reason. The more serious offenders were publicly shamed when they refused to listen or relent. Sometimes the women resorted to their lathis, if the men resorted to use of force.
Today, the Gulabi Gang has tens of thousands of women members, several male supporters and many successful interventions to their credit. Whether it is ensuring proper public distibution of food-grains to people below the poverty line, or disbursement of pension to elderly widows who have no birth certificate to prove their age, or preventing abuse of women and children, the Pink sisterhood is in the forefront, bringing about system changes by adopting the simplest of methods - direct action and confrontation.
Although the group’s interventions are mostly on behalf of women, they are increasingly called upon by men to challenge not only male authority over women, but all human rights abuses inflicted on the weak.
http://www.gulabigang.in/
http://gulabi-gang.tumblr.com/
Urgency is the need of the hour but I wonder if violence is the only solution? The awards they have recieved, the media coverage and traction from documentary film makers all applause the bravery and unity of the members of the Gulabi Gang but I wonder if this is a permanent solution?
Would like to discuss more around it.
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CommentYvonne Caples
Ankit Chhabra