A few years ago, the leftist-Dravidianist propaganda outlet The News Minute had published an article about how a ‘web of Hindu centres’ in Kerala are trying to stop conversions. The piece tried to deny the menace of Love Jihad while subtly painting a negative picture of the efforts taken by a few organization in bringing converted women back to the Hindu fold. We thought “If it had jittered the likes of TNM, they must be doing something right!”
In Parashurama Kshetram, also anglicised as ‘God’s Own Country’ aka Kerala, Pratheesh Vishwanath, the founder of Hindu Seva Kendram, brought to light the critical issue of Love Jihad. His transformative journey, shared in an interview with The Commune, reflects resilience, selfless service, and an unwavering commitment to Kerala’s cultural heritage. The following are edited excerpts from the interview.
Pratheesh’s early years involved stepping into the world of RSS shakhas at the age of four and a long association with Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Around 2003-2004, he identified the societal undercurrent of Love Jihad and coerced conversions, leading to the inception of a helpline. Over the past 16-17 years, the helpline evolved into a 24-hour call centre, intervening, rescuing, and legally aiding over 12,000 girls from love jihad. Kerala’s High Court bore witness to nearly 5,000 habeas corpus petitions.
The heartening part of this initiative is that what was once a daily deluge of 20-30 cases has now dwindled to a mere 2-3 per month, a testament to the tenacity of their efforts.
In 2012, Pratheesh took a leap, enrolling as an advocate in the Kerala High Court while continuing his activism. The landscape of challenges expanded to conversion issues, reaching into the very fabric of personal and family life. Recognising this gap, the concept of Hindu Seva Kendram was born—a semi-institutional ecosystem designed to counteract issues at the micro-level, where conversions often took root.
The multi-faceted initiative has five core areas of focus.
- Annalakshmi Yojana, a programme ensuring that no Hindu goes hungry in Kerala, emerged as the first pillar.
- Sanjeevani followed, providing a lifeline of medicines to impoverished Hindus battling chronic illnesses – this was initiated after Pratheesh found children and terminally ill patients converting for medicines.
- Suneeti stepped in as a legal aid program, supporting individuals in personal matters, temple issues, and activism.
- Assistance in accessing government welfare schemes became the fourth pillar,
- While the fifth involved counselling—a network of trained individuals offering guidance on family and personal matters. This is seen to have helped prevent conversions to a large extent.
Pratheesh is ably supported by luminaries like Dr. Sathish Kumar, CA Sreekumar Mankuzhy who functions as the Treasurer, and advocate Rajeesh Ramachandran as the General Secretary, and 22 full-time volunteers along with a staggering 3000 active local volunteers, the organisation has made significant strides; they also officially registered as an NGO three years ago
The methodology was elegant in its simplicity—a committee for each Panchayat, with eleven members at the helm, and within each ward, a seven-member committee. Their reach extends to 247 Panchayats, where nearly 44,000 homes receive sustenance, and 26,000 patients find solace in the medicines provided. Yet, Pratheesh’s passion extends beyond these numbers. It’s etched in the stories of 6,000-7,000 Muslim girls returning to Hinduism in the past year, and more than 200 Christian families embracing Hinduism through their efforts.
The year 2023 saw several key milestones achieved. These include the monthly distribution of ₹18 lakhs worth of medicines to 300 Hindu families and providing ₹9 lakhs worth of food items to over 250 families. Hindu Seva Kendram’s initiatives extended to a ₹75 lakh drinking water project for Kuttanad, the construction of toilets for 14 Hindu families, and the renovation of housing for 8 families. Additionally, they facilitated the marriages of 14 needy Hindu girls, rescued 15 girls from the clutches of love jihad, and assisted in the Gharwapsi of 85 families back to Hinduism in the second half of 2023. Through crowdfunding, they raised over ₹3 crores for treatment assistance, generated employment opportunities for 230+ Hindus, and offered educational support to 135 Hindu children.
The Hindu Seva Kendram stands as a beacon of assistance, transcending political divides to aid any Hindu in need – irrespective of political affiliation. Initially, the call centre’s ringing echoes bore witness to the distress calls of girls ensnared in love jihad. Today, with issues like love jihad and conversions waning, the conversation steers to the most pressing issue at hand – the liberation of Hindu temples from government control. With rallies echoing in different parts of the state, there are plans to amp up the voices in the coming days. Another critical issue at this juncture is the encroachment seen on temple properties that are being handled legally by the team. At this point, it is also important to recognise Pratheesh’s contribution to the Sabarimala temple movement as well in 2018.
Pratheesh has endured formidable resistance from the government, the radical elements as well as the Communists known for their uncouth behaviour. Physical attacks and myriad challenges marked their path, but in the face of adversity, the spirit of Swabhimani Hindus prevailed. A decision to stand firm, resist migration, and defy conversion resonates as they pledge not to let Kerala become another Kashmir.
The conversation then pivots to the underlying issue – the demographic conundrum that Kerala grapples with coupled with an acute time deficiency. Pratheesh tells us about the 2011 census where Hindus constituted 54%, yet by 2018, birth rates revealed a sobering truth. With Muslim birth rates surpassing Hindus, a looming spectre of demographical imbalance emerged. In the 2011 census, the birth rate for Hindus stood at 44%. But in 2018 when the birthrate and death rate data came out, the Muslim birth rate shot up to 43.5% and Hindus reduced to 40%. The death rate among Hindus rose to 60% while it was at 20% for Muslims. In this scenario, by the year 2035, nearly half of the population under the age of 20 will be Muslim. This demographic shift raises concerns about potential imbalances, emphasising the need for proactive measures before 2030.
Speaking about the volunteers involved in the organisation, Pratheesh tells us that most prominently, a mosaic of women and spirited youths, ranging from 15 to 35 years of age, breathe life into the cause. Each step they take is a testament to a shared commitment, a generation standing as custodians of tradition.
The conversation pivots to the intricate dance between conversion challenges and community resilience. Pratheesh speaks of a grassroots approach – dealing with issues that are plaguing the Hindu population at the grassroots level. In a race against time, Pratheesh shares with us the specific approach to issues affecting specific localities. For example, some places have Balsanskar Kendras, embryonic centers for imparting the essence of Sanatana Dharma, while others focus on counselling or providing food and medicine support to the residents.
As we speak further about demographic changes, Pratheesh highlights yet another critical problem – national security. Kerala, with its 600 kilometers of vulnerable coastline, stands at the precipice. Pseudo-secularism and radical extremism cast shadows, threatening to reshape its destiny. Pratheesh paints a stark reality; the stakes are not just for Keralites but for the entire nation. As Kerala grapples with leftists, urban naxals, and conversion mafias, the urgency for a united stand becomes paramount.
So what else is the solution? He tells us that government intervention in issues like population control, anti-smuggling measures, and strict action against illegal immigration can help significantly.
Kerala faces a severe time crunch and cannot afford to take things slowly. Undeterred by adversity, Pratheesh fights not only for Kerala but for the essence of the nation, a testament to unwavering commitment surpassing boundaries. As we come towards the end of the interview, he says “We Hindus stand resolute – we will not migrate nor will we convert. Our commitment is unwavering; we choose to live here, safeguarding Kerala from becoming another Kashmir. Defeat awaits the radical elements; we’ll face them at any cost.”
Pratheesh’s voice echoes not just a plea for funds but a call to arms for awareness. It’s a rallying cry to stand united, armed with the knowledge that the battle for Kerala’s soul, the land of Adi Shankaracharya, is inseparable from the fate of the nation. Pratheesh implores Hindus to stand united, contribute monetarily as well as in every other way possible, and be the guardian of Kerala’s destiny. Currently, Pratheesh and his team rely on local donations, making it all the more important for Hindus and well-meaning nationalists to contribute in every way to the cause.
There are websites and their owners who at frequent intervals ask you to pay for what you read. And then there are organizations like the Hindu Seva Kendram that goes about its job without making noise. It takes enormous efforts to do what the Hindu Seva Kendram does. If you wish to support them, you can make your donations here – https://hindusevakendram.org/contribute-us/
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