Fact Check: Helpline number promising women free ride home in night belongs to Ludhiana, not across India
Crime against women is a deeply concerning issue challenging the nation’s progress towards gender equality. The brutal rape and murder of a doctor in Kokata raised concerns among everyone relating to the safety of women in the country.
Claim :
Helpline number 7837018555 can be used by women in the night to get a free and safe ride home anywhere in India.Fact :
Helpline number 7837018555 was started by Ludhiana police and does not work in anyplace in India, works only in Ludhiana
Crime against women is a deeply concerning issue challenging the nation’s progress towards gender equality. The brutal rape and murder of a doctor in Kokata raised concerns among everyone relating to the safety of women in the country. Thousands of people protested in the eastern city of Kolkata to condemn the rape and murder of a doctor in the RG Kar Hospital. The protests were held at more than 100 locations across Kolkata and spread to surrounding towns in the state of West Bengal and also to several other Indian cities.
After all this, several users started sharing messages in Telugu claiming that ‘for the safety of women at night, the police have started helpline numbers relating to the free and secure ride facility with the helpline number 7837018555.
The message in Telugu goes “రాత్రి 10 గంటల నుంచి ఉదయం 6 గంటల మధ్య ఒంటరిగా ఉన్న మహిళ ఇంటికి వెళ్లేందుకు వాహనం దొరకని వారు పోలీసు హెల్ప్లైన్ నంబర్లను (1091 మరియు 7837018555) సంప్
When translated, it claims: “The police has launched a free travel scheme for the lone women who cannot find a vehicle to go home between 10 pm and 6 am. They can contact the police helpline numbers (1091 and 7837018555) and request for a vehicle. They work 24x7 hours. Control room vehicle or nearest PCR vehicle/SHO vehicle will take her safely to her destination. This is for free. Spread this message to everyone you know. Send the number to your wife, daughters, sisters, mothers, friends and all women you know. Ask them to save. All men please share with all women you know. In case of emergency, women can leave a blank message or a missed call..so that the police can find your location and help you. Applicable all over India”
Fact Check:
The claim is Misleading. The Helpline number -7837018555 is a ‘Free ride’ facility provided by Ludhiana, Punjab police for the women in the region.
When we searched the number 7837018555 on Truecaller, we found that the number belongs to Ludhiana Police.
According to an article published in Times of India in December 2019, more than 3000 calls have been received on women helpline numbers of the Ludhiana police so far by city residents inquiring about the facilities of dropping home at night, including many from outside Ludhiana and Punjab, some from as far off as UP, Bihar, Maharashtra and Kerala. The two helpline numbers of Ludhiana police – 1091, and 7832018555 have gone viral on Twitter and Facebook.
Not only women, but also families are calling on the helpline to know the process of getting a ride home for their daughters who work until late in the evening. Commissioner of police said that the police dropped a woman home, but told outstation callers that this number was only for free rides for the women of Ludhiana.
We also found another article published in Hindustan Times, which also gives us proof that the helpline number is from Ludhiana and assists women in Ludhiana, Punjab.
Though the viral number belongs to Ludhiana police, the state police in several states have started a safety wing for women over the years. For example, Telangana police started a Women's safety wing that can be contacted using various methods and they also have their contact number published on their website – 8712656858. There are several other numbers of officials who can be contacted in case of emergency, region-wise.
According to India Today, Tamil Nadu police have also started helpline numbers for women in need of a conveyance at night. The numbers are 1091, 112, 044-23452365, and 044-28447701.
MTNL Mumbai, in collaboration with Mumbai Police, has launched SMS-based service "Travel Safe When Alone". This service is specially launched for safety of women when traveling alone or during odd hours.
Hence, the helpline numbers in circulation do not work for the whole country, the numbers are for Ludhiana in Punjab. Police of different states have initiated similar services for women with different helpline numbers. The claim is Misleading.
