Hindu Helpline is a helpline service launched by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal on 4 April 2010 at the initiative of VHP international president Praveen Togadia. Launched initially in Pune, the Hindu Helpline would expand with the establishment, by August 2014, of fifty similar centres in cities across India.
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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:
Calls related to "forced conversions" receive urgent attention. The helpline in Kerala, in particular, offers help against what has been referred to as "love jihad."