Deekshith D V
Pics: Meryick D’ Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 9: Their website describes Sampat Pal Devi as a 'redeemer with a purpose'. The Gulabi Gang, based in Bundelkhand of Uttar Pradesh, calls itself a group of 'rural women in pink saris, weilding bamboo sticks in pursuit of justice'. Founded by Sampat Pal Devi in 2006 to fight atrocities against women, particularly domestic violence, the 'gang' of women have had an impressive record of delivering justice, by whatever means, including, in some cases, beating up policemen. The group aims to empower rural women and make them self-reliant.
Its founder Sampat Pal Devi is a courageous woman, who herself was a victim of gender discrimination. At a very young age, she revolted when her father did not allow her to pursue education, and looking at her enthusiasm, her uncle got her enrolled in a school. But her dream to be educated was shortlived, as she was married off at the age of 12, and by 15, she was already a mother. Her first brush with fight against domestic violence came when she confronted a man who was mercilessly beating his wife, and followed it up the next day by thrashing him with a bamboo stick, accompanied by a group of women. Thereafter, she was approached by hundreds of women who were being harassed by their husbands which led her to form Gulabi Gang in 2006.
Sampat Pal Devi, who was in the city recently to attend a programme, in an exclusive interview to daijiworld, spoke about various issues including her mission, on growing number of crimes against women and how to combat them.
Excerpts
Q: What inspired you to form your organization 'Gulabi Gang'?
A: Many incidents of injustice occur around us and our goal was to see these wrongs righted. Such injustices are not a recent development but they have been a fixture in our societies since time immemorial. But we have tried to control the situation. Our ambition is to build a society that is free from crimes. Whenver anything untoward happens to girls, we go to the spot to fight for justice and see to it the culprit is sent to jail. Instead of passively watching
Only if we consider the people of our country as our own family and stand by them can we establish a strong society. It is not an easy task to fight against injustice but our message to the people is that everyone should try their best to do so. And we need the media to propagate this message to the larger populace.
Q: What is your mission?
A: My mission is to raise awareness among women. To make women realise that we can accomplish anything we want to. We can right wrongs and make our world a better place.
Q: How did you come with the name 'Gulabi Gang'?
A: It is an acquired name. By mutual consent, all of us wore pink sarees as a type of uniform. The BSP wear blue, SP wear red and Gatriwalas wear yellow. Once, the workers of my association had an altercation with the police and from then on we got the name 'Gulabi Gang'. Now I declare myself to be of the 'Gulabi Gang' with pride.
Q: How many activists do you have in your organisation?
A: Approximately 4 lac in UP.
Q: Would you consider starting Gulabi Gang in Karnataka?
A: Why not? If the women are willing to be a part of my organisation they are more than welcome. I have never forced anyone to join in my fight. We can bring changes here. I am ready to start right now, I do not need to wait for anything, but women here have to be ready to build the gang. I started my effort alone and it expanded on its own. When we were able to achieve justice for many, people began to volunteer to be a part of my outfit.
Q: Rape cases are increasing across the country. How can we prevent this?
A: For the most part, the media as we have it today tends to only write about the problems. Every day we hear the same news of girls being exploited everywhere. As media you have more power than us to bring about change in the society. The media should highlight the good that happens when organisations like ours fight the evils rampant in our society. I am not blaming the media, but merely speaking out about the power that the media has in influencing the minds of the general populace.
Girls should be taught to discern good from bad and to defend themselves against the bad. Parents should impart strong values to their children and that will cause the society to change for the better.
Q: Is there any way for a girl to safeguard herself from being sexually violated?
A: Every girl should arm herself appropriately, it could even be with a simple 'danda' (staff). She won't even need to use it. Just the sight of the staff will deter many from approaching her with bad intentions. Women could even come together and start a 'Gulabi Gang' here in order to bring about some amount of decorum to their society. Even a meagre four women will suffice. The effort will gather more people and strength in its own time and will soon be feared.
Q: What message you would like to give the youth of today?
A: I would like to urge girls to unite and form an organization. If a boy teases a girl, the girls should stand together and thrash the boy to teach a lesson that they will not tolerate indecent behaviour .
Q: Don’t you think that will be taking law into one's hands? Won't it would be more prudent to approach the police?
A: When law keepers are not helping you, what is wrong in taking law into your hands? The law is right, but the keepers of law are wrong.
Who do police listen to? They want only money. They will aide criminals if that is what their superiors ask of them. If the police personnel across the country were doing their job honestly there would be no incidents/evils to begin with. More often than not the police side with those who have money and the poor continue to be neglected.
Q: Have you ever had to beat police personnel?
A: Yes, we have beaten up the cops a few times for locking up innocents for more than 11 days and for using bad language. Now they are scared of us and ensure that our work is dealt with faster.
Q: Would you say the system is turning a blind eye to all that atrocities happening around us?
A: Yes, absolutely. I wish for the people to stand up for themselves rather than rely on the government or any other institution to do so for them. The society also needs to undergo a change. In many homes, girls are considered less than boys, and that attitude needs to change.
Q: Lok Sabha member Mulayam Singh Yadav was recently in the news for his controversial statements about rape.
A: Who is Mulayam Singh Yadav? He is insane and most of what he says has no meaning. He will worry only if something were to happen to his own family members. Why would he worry for strangers? Let alone Mulayam Singh, in India all politicians are the same. But as the former chief minister of a state he should not have made such statements. As a leader he should condemn all the bad that is happening in our society. It is wrong to claim that boys should not be held accountable for their indecent behaviour towards girls. Muzaffarnagar riots and Hindu-Muslim clashes erupted because of Mulayam. He has been responsible for so many incidents, and we as public should think about this. We never ask for anyone's support. When we carry poles, they will bend their heads.
Q: Despite many women's organisations being in existence, sexual crimes against women are on the increase.
A: The youth of today is less inclined towards education and also surrounded with temptations and peer pressure. Women's organisations should proliferate amongst the youngsters that education is far more important than having a boyfriend/girlfriend. This is the way I educate youngsters. I tell girls that if they want to come forward in life, don't have boyfriends. Here in Mangalore I see girls and boys standing around separately, but go to Delhi and see in parks. Is this the way the nation is going to change?
Thanks to various social networking sites as well gadgets like mobile phones and even television, girls and boys go astray from their goals in life. When you are in school or college, nothing else but studies should be your business.
Q: Do you believe that mobile phones have been instrumental in the increase in crimes against women?
A: Mobile phones alone cannot be blamed. The TV, the internet, movies - all these mediums can be used to teach good things but unfortunately they are not. Use modern gadgets for good reasons only. There is no film that showcases the true power of a woman, which can inspire girls to change
Q: Can society change its attitudes?
A: Why not? Like I said earlier, as media the onus is on you to propagate the right kind of messages to the women out there. You can begin by passing on all that I ahve told you today. Who knows someone out there might be influenced by the message that you pass on today. Even if four people will read it, they will feel encouraged to think and act, and soon women will muster the courage to fight. It might inspire more women to fight for justice.
Every girl should receive education and the right kind of guidance to build a good life. If we make our girls strong, it will strengthen the families, and in turn our society. If a girl comes from a good family where women are respected, she will not do anything wrong and learn what to expect and what she should condemn. If she is brought up in an environment where family members are given to drink and be violent towards the women, it will have a strong negative impact on her. For the society to be good it is essential that our familial bonds are strong and instilled with values.