Love Commando helpline for young couples becoming a huge hit

The phone at the office of Love Commando hasn't stopped ringing ever since MiD DAY reported the setting up of the outfit, which has vowed to fight against khap killings.
Over the past few days, the group has been receiving over a thousand calls each day from hapless couples being hunted by relatives or parents for choosing partners outside their caste.



Sanjay Sachdev, one of the founder members of Love Commando, said: "Even we did not have the slightest idea that it will be such a huge hit. The response has been overwhelming ever since MiD DAY reported about the launch of our initiative."

Majority of the calls received at the Paharganj office of Love Commando are from young couples in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.

Apart from those who wish to defy community and family, there have been calls from people from all walks of life who want to join the initiative. "Several eminent people have called us to appreciate our effort and express their desire to join us."u00a0u00a0

In fact, Sachdev had to depute at least five people to monitor the helpline number 9313784375.u00a0
"Out of all the cases we receive, we have identified 60-70 cases which are being handled on priority. We have asked our representatives in these areas to look into the cases and provide all assistance to them," Sachdev added.

Sachdev said they have plans to start five new helpline numbers.u00a0 "However, we are facing a financial crunch as we did not expect it to scale such heights so soon," he said.

Mostly the calls received are from couples, who have gone into hiding for the fear of their parents and community. Some of them have even threatened to commit suicide, if no help is provided to them soon.
When a Love Commando volunteer receives a call, he/she contacts a lawyer in the group and immediately calls the local police. Besides, providing legal help, the volunteers also help organise counselling sessions where couples receive advice on upcoming challenges.

"I got a call from Amritsar where a couple is hiding in a Gurdwara for the last one month. Lovers have been coming all the way to Delhi for help. We are arranging marriage for one of the couple at an Arya Samaj temple," said Sachdev.