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The Gulabi Gang As a Social Movement

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The Gulabi Gang As a Social Movement The Gulabi Gang as a Social Movement: An Analysis of Strategic Choice A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at George Mason University, and the degree of Master of Arts at the University of Malta by Katy Miller Bachelor of Arts Georgia State University, 2010 Director: Ralph C. Baxter, Professor Department of Master of Science Conflict Analysis and Resolution Master of Arts Conflict Resolution and Mediterranean Security Fall Semester 2013 George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia University of Malta Valletta, Malta Copyright 2013 Katy B. Miller All Rights Reserved ii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to the Gulabi Gang and marginalized communities all over the world that fight for justice in the face of overwhelming oppression. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my family and friends who have helped me through this process. I must especially acknowledge my parents for their unwavering support and encouragement. Many thanks to my sister, Penny, for guiding me through the thesis process and helping with the polishing of this text. Finally, a big thank you to Oscar Ellul for his patience and love. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ............................................................................................................................. vii Chapter One ........................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 Specific Story .................................................................................................................. 3 India Context ................................................................................................................... 4 Caste System ................................................................................................................... 5 Women ............................................................................................................................ 9 Dalits ............................................................................................................................. 13 Sampat Pal Devi ............................................................................................................ 22 The Gulabi Gang ........................................................................................................... 34 Chapter Two...................................................................................................................... 46 Literature Overview ...................................................................................................... 46 Structural Models .......................................................................................................... 47 Culture and Emotion ..................................................................................................... 48 Framing and Agency ..................................................................................................... 49 Effects of Agency .......................................................................................................... 49 Strategic Capacity ......................................................................................................... 50 Agency and External Funding ....................................................................................... 50 Agency Framework ....................................................................................................... 51 Strategic Choice ............................................................................................................ 51 Chapter Three.................................................................................................................... 52 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 52 Social Movements ......................................................................................................... 53 Cycles of Contention ..................................................................................................... 59 v Introduction into Strategic Choice ................................................................................ 62 Sampat Pal Devi as Leader............................................................................................ 69 Framing ......................................................................................................................... 71 Audience and the Importance of Framing ..................................................................... 73 Identity Framing ........................................................................................................ 75 Emotion Framing ....................................................................................................... 78 Media Framing .......................................................................................................... 80 Consensus Formation and Mobilization ........................................................................ 84 Movement Organization ................................................................................................ 85 Repertoire of Contention ............................................................................................... 88 Violent Encounters .................................................................................................... 89 Disruption Strategies ................................................................................................. 94 Conventional Strategies ............................................................................................. 97 Globalization and External Resources .......................................................................... 99 Transnational Advocacy Networks and Networking .................................................. 101 Joining Politics ............................................................................................................ 102 Including Non-Members and Men .............................................................................. 108 Chapter Five: Conclusion ............................................................................................... 110 References ....................................................................................................................... 112 vi ABSTRACT THE GULABI GANG AS A SOCIAL MOVEMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF STRATEGIC CHOICE Katy Miller, M.S., M.A. George Mason University, 2013 Thesis Director: Dr. Ralph C. Baxter In the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh exists a women’s collective who calls themselves the ‘Gulabi Gang’. Founded by Sampat Pal Devi, the gang formed in 2006 and has since has gained more than 20,000 members, most of which are Dalit women or ‘untouchables’. Focusing, though not exclusively, on promoting women's rights and stopping corruption, The Gulabi Gang strives to empower women, promote childhood education, especially for girls, prevent child marriages, stop abuses of power, and end domestic violence. Often taking matters into their own hands they tackle issues ranging from domestic violence to police corruption to land disputes. This thesis aims to prove that the Gulabi Gang meets the criteria for a social movement, as put forth by Charles Tilly, and in doing so will also analyze the strategies and tactics that the gang has chosen to use. vii CHAPTER ONE Introduction The unofficial headquarters of the Gulabi Gang is located in the arid agricultural town of Badausa, centered within the poverty-stricken Banda district of one of India's poorest and most populated states, Uttar Pradesh (Sen, 2012). This particular district has suffered from years of severe drought, and is one of the poorest in all of India (Sen, 2012). Of the 1.6 million people, dispersed throughout Banda's 600 villages, over 20% are members of the lowest caste, Dalits (Sen, 2012). Dalits continue to suffer from extreme oppression and discrimination, despite laws stemming from the 1950 constitution that ban any form of discrimination against them (Sen, 2012). The laws and policies implemented on behalf of Dalits and other lower castes have done little to correct the social practices which maintain caste discrimination, and as a result, Dalit communities continue to be oppressed and segregated from society by higher caste members, especially in rural areas (Sen, 2012). Women are also subjugated under patriarchal Indian society; especially in rural areas, such as Uttar Pradesh, which has been found to have one of the highest rates of dowry related deaths (Sen 2012). Uttar Pradesh also boasts one of the highest rates of domestic and sexual violence against women, regardless of caste association (Sen, 2012). “The area is also reputed for continuing the practices of child marriage, female 1 infanticide, and son preference; and for the mortality rate of its young brides during childbirth (Arnold et al., 1998)" (as quoted in Sen, 2012, p. 3). All marginalized communities in India suffer from structural and physical violence, however the combination of low caste and female gender identity heighten the extent to which one is marginalized (Govinda, 2006). While there are many caste movements in India, as well as many women's movements, there have yet to be any significant solidarity movements including
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