The Gulabi Gang calls Badausa, a town in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, their unofficial headquarters. This region, known for its alarming levels of gender-based violence, has earned a notorious reputation for being one of the most unsafe places for women. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has reported disturbing figures such as 3,065 rape cases 2019 and 16,460 kidnappings in 2021. In addition, dowry deaths remained a grave issue, with 2,222 reported in 2022.

While violence against women is a pressing issue, the region is also plagued by deep-rooted social problems such as female illiteracy, which stands at 57.18%, and widespread practices like child marriage, infanticide, and domestic abuse. These systemic issues are compounded by caste-based oppression, with Dalits facing disproportionate violence and discrimination. The Gulabi Gang has been a powerful force for change, bringing attention to these brutal realities while actively fighting to empower the women in the heart of Uttar Pradesh.Sampat Pal Devi, a government worker in rural Uttar Pradesh, witnesses a man straight-up beating his wife in public. Everyone just stares, does nothing. It’s just another day in a place where patriarchy reigns. But Sampat?she couldn’t let that slide. She decided right then and there thinking enough is enough.

Sampat Pal Devi gathered a crew of women and formed the Gulaabi Gang(the “Pink Gang”)named after their bold, in-your-face pink saris. They weren’t here to look cute, they were here to cause some noise, break some rules, and fight for the women who had been silenced for too long. Armed with bamboo sticks(lathis) and unstoppable energy, they went after anyone abusing women-husbands, corrupt cops, the whole system. And honestly, they were like, “If you're not gonna do anything, we will.”

What started as a handful of women from one region quickly spread. As the Gulaabi Gang grew, they became a symbol of defiance, proving that women could fight back in ways nobody expected. They didn’t just protest but they confronted abusers, demanded justice, and fought against everything from dowry to domestic violence. Their boldness were off the charts. They were rewriting the script on what women could do.

It all began in Bundelkhand, a region notorious for its poverty and social inequalities. In 2006, after seeing a man beating his wife publicly, Sampat Pal was moved to take action. Rather than silently witness the injustice, she rallied a group of women and formed the Gulaabi Gang—dressed in pink saris and armed with bamboo sticks to confront offenders. The pink sari was chosen carefully, free from any political or religious associations, it became a symbol of women standing together against oppression​​​​.

The pink saree, which was once just their way of dressing for battle, became a global symbol of sisterhood and resistance. In a major moment, the Gulaabi Gang’s signature pink sarees were featured in the London museum exhibition. The pink sari went from being just fabric to being an emblem of empowerment, solidarity, and courage. It was like the whole world was finally seeing the Gulaabi Gang for what they truly were, warriors​​.