India: Pink Vigilantes by Sanjit Das

47 year old Sampat Pal Devi (front), founder and leader of the 10,000 strong Gulabi Gang, leads a group of women on a march through Banda. In the badlands of Bundelkhand, one of the poorest parts of one of India's most populous states, a gang of female vigilantes have sprung up to fight the oppression of a caste-ridden, feudalistic and male dominated society. In a land where dowry demands and domestic and sexual violence are common, the 'Gulabi Gang' (Pink Gang), so called for their uniform...
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47 year old Sampat Pal Devi (front), founder and leader of the 10,000 strong Gulabi Gang, leads a group of women on a march through Banda. In the badlands of Bundelkhand, one of the poorest parts of one of India's most populous states, a gang of female vigilantes have sprung up to fight the oppression of a caste-ridden, feudalistic and male dominated society. In a land where dowry demands and domestic and sexual violence are common, the 'Gulabi Gang' (Pink Gang), so called for their uniform of shocking pink saris, are picking up their lathis (traditional Indian sticks) to fight against corruption and violence against women.
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