New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Tuesday claimed its helpline, launched for students affected during the recent protests over the NEET paper leak, has received 1,080 calls so far, including around 300 from Delhi, with many seeking help for alleged harassment, legal assistance, shelter and medical support.
The Congress' youth wing said a majority of the calls were distress calls that required immediate intervention, with several complaints involving alleged online trolling of women protesters, intimidation and visits to their homes after the demonstration.
"We have received a total of 1,080 calls, many of which were distress calls requiring immediate assistance. Every such call was promptly attended to. Serious complaints, including online trolling of women and girls, visits to their homes, intimidation and harassment, were immediately acted upon," the IYC said in a statement.
It claimed several complaints were resolved over the phone or by party volunteers visiting the protest site, while 55 cases requiring legal intervention were referred to the IYC's legal team and have since been addressed.
The helpline was launched under the Congress' ongoing 'Chhatro Ki Gunj' campaign after the July 20 protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in central Delhi seeking former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation over the NEET paper leak, during which several students were injured in police action.
IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib alleged that the police action against protesting students had “raised serious questions about democracy.”
"The lathi-charge and use of tear gas against students raising their voices against the paper leak raise serious questions about democracy. We stand with every student who is facing any difficulties or needs assistance in Delhi," Chib said.
Students requiring shelter, food, medical care or legal assistance can contact the helpline numbers 8826970690, 9211452848 and 9827048238, or seek help on social media platform X using the hashtag #SOSCKG, the Congress’ youth wing had said.