Sampat Pal Devi

Indian social activist who founded the Gulabi Gang to combat gender-based violence in rural Uttar Pradesh.

Sampat Pal Devi (born 1960) transformed grassroots feminism in India by creating the Gulabi Gang (Pink Sari Gang), a vigilante group of over 400,000 women addressing domestic abuse and corruption in Uttar Pradesh. Armed with bamboo sticks, they confront abusive husbands and corrupt officials directly.

Born into poverty and married at 12, Devi's early life fueled her resolve. The Gulabi Gang's tactics—public shaming, sit-ins, and legal advocacy—have rescued thousands of women from violent marriages. Their "eye-for-an-eye" approach, like cutting off a man's ponytail to mirror his wife's assault, gained international attention.

Beyond activism, the group runs microloan programs and literacy camps. Devi's unorthodox methods challenge India's patriarchal norms, inspiring similar movements globally. Documentaries like 'Pink Saris' (2010) chronicle her impact.