Sampat Pal ousted from Gulabi Gang

LUCKNOW: Six years after its inception, the all-women Gulabi Gang of Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh is heading for a split. The group's founder commander Sampat Pal was dethroned by the national convener of the organisation at a meeting in Banda on Sunday following allegations of financial irregularities. Gulabi Gang now has an interim commander till March 23, when Sampat's successor will be elected formally.
Though Sampat Pal could not be contacted for comment as she was reportedly in Delhi, sources close to her questioned the very process of removing Sampat Pal from the post of commander. "How can a group of people associated with the gang get together and simply declare that they are replacing the commander. Who has given them this authority," questioned Nirmala Singh, a school teacher from Chitrakoot, who has been an admirer of Sampat Pal but could never join the gang.
The decision to replace Sampat Pal was taken at a meeting of the Gulabi Gang members held on Sunday at Gaura Baba Dham in Atarra area on the borders of Banda and Chitrakoot. The meeting was convened by national convener of the group Jai Prakash Shivhare who accused Sampat of misusing the gang's reputation and name to serve personal interests. Those present at the meeting then announced name of vice commander Suman Singh of Mahoba as interim commander. Parvati Soni, a member from Atarra, accused Pal of demanding Rs 5,000 to help confront her in-laws in Maudaha who were subjecting her to severe physical and mental torture.
The meeting was convened by Ram Lal Jayan and conducted by founder member Satbodh Saindata. The gang decided to meet on March 23, to formalise the sacking of Sampat Pal and nomination of the new commander.