Hindu Helpline

Hindu Helpline is a call centre service launched by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal on 4 April 2010, with the initiative of VHP international president Praveen Togadia. It was initially launched in Pune but had opened similar centres in 50 cities by August 2014.

Organisation

The Hindu Helpline provides services for Hindu callers on a range of issues, including religious questions, social and safety issues, especially in relation to religious minority communities. The Economic Times comments that it "provides a platform for those Hindus who perceive themselves to be harassed or victimised" and makes them in get in touch with the VHP. According to Togadia, "the attempt is to make the Hindu feel proud of being part of a network of over 100 crore Hindus." The service has handled about 85,000 calls in two years. It is run by 40 volunteers and boasts of a nearly 30,000-strong network ready to respond to calls for help. It is said to have eminent retired civil servants, doctors and lawyers on its advisory board.

The call centre in Mumbai is handled by Paras Rajput and that in Delhi is handled by Deepak Kumar.

Activities

The range of issues handled by the call centres include:

• clearing doubts of Hindu rituals and auspicious days for
• explaining the "scientific principles" behind the rituals
• travel advice
• medical, legal and financial help
• responding to reports of cow slaughter
• dealing with alleged "harassment" of Hindu girls
• helping Hindu women married to Muslim husbands
• blocking Muslims from buying homes in Hindu localities

Calls related to "forced conversions" receive urgent attention. The helpline in Kerala particularly offers help against "love jihad."

See also

• Love jihad
• Vishva Hindu Parishad

External links

• Hindu Helpline web site