The power of pink

A few years ago, a little-known band of women dressed in pink saris surrounded their local police station and demanded that the falsely-arrested member of their community be released immediately. When their demands were not met with a serious response, they turned to violence, ruffled some collars, threatened a few policemen and had the arrest revoked.

At the helm of it all was Sampat Pal, an underprivileged and uneducated woman from Uttar Pradesh. As the leader of the Gulaabi Gang, she not only fights against the injustices of the Indian bureaucratic system in rural UP, but also the more common injustices that women face in rural India. Whether it’s a fight with their in-laws, violent husbands, abusive parents or arranged marriages, Sampat Pal is a force to be reckoned with. Her pink sari brigade, now 40,000 strong, speaks for those who do not have the strength to speak for themselves. Some call her a vigilante, others call her a saviour.

In his story for SBS TV’s Dateline, Amos Roberts shows a more light-hearted view of this very serious movement. Though Sampat and the Gulaabi Gang are fighting for a very difficult cause, he shows the humanity and humour behind their battle. As a journalist for Foreign Correspondent, Roberts has been to India several times over the years, reporting on various political and social issues faced by the country; from the caste conflict in Bihar to the aftermath of the chemical spill in Bhopal.

As an outsider, he has seen the financial boom over the past decade change the face of the big cities and the country at large. He has also seen how rural parts of India remain unaffected and unchanged by this boom. Poverty is still a major concern, as is the lack of education for children in rural India. So when he heard about Sampat Pal, it only seemed natural to want to report about her. It took all of three days to meet this fabulous character, see the amazing domino effect of her outspoken ways and capture it all on film for Dateline her family, married at 12 and marginalised her entire life, this is a story of the power of one person who could make a difference. This is a story about a single person’s ability to look past her own misfortunes and help better the lives of others. Her thirst for an education and for fair treatment, not only for women but also for those from lower castes, is the driving force behind the gang.

Roberts explores the effects of Sampat’s energies on her community and its inhabitants, especially the women. He follows her as she teaches these women lessons in selfdefence with laathis; he visits the school which provides free education for the local children (an issue very close to her heart); he witnesses the wedding which happens between two star-crossed lovers, all because Sampat Pal got involved.

It’s a beautiful story, told beautifully by Roberts. The award winning director/producer presents a thoughtprovoking look at the daily struggles faced by rural communities in India. The uplifting nature of Sampat’s work and her tenacity shines through this report, offering hope that perhaps this little ripple in a rather large pond, might indeed lead to something phenomenal for the rural women of India.

Kudrat Singh

Sampat Pal’s story aired on Dateline on March 14, and can be viewed online at: http://www.sbs.com.au/dateline/story/watch/ id/600347/n/The-Pink-Gang

To help Sampat Pal, visit the website www.gulabigang.org