A toll-free number 1800-3133-600-00, named Helpline Against Hate, was launched by United Against Hate, a collective of eminent citizens campaigning for social justice and peace, here on Monday.
The number will be available to help victims of hate crimein as many as 100 cities. The helpline was launched in the backdrop of risinginstances of hate crime and mob lynching, being reported from various parts ofthe country.
The launch event was attended by eminent lawyer SanjayHegde, senior journalist Urmilesh, Kafeel Khan of BRD Medical College inGorakhpur, who was suspended after the encephalitis deaths, and ProfessorApoorvanand of Delhi University, among others.
“It’s time to identify, define and deliberate on hatecrime as is being done in many European countries. It was necessary to launchthe helpline because minorities are being attacked just because of theiridentities. Cops refuse to take cognizance of hate crimes,” saidApoorvanand.Services on this number will be available inHindi as well as English. Volunteers of the United Against Hate collective willhandle calls and help victims and those reporting probable incidents of hatecrime get help from the police. The collective will also help victims inregistration of FIR and other legal formalities.