Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde Calls for Ban on Online Gaming in India
New Delhi [India], August 10: Shiv Sena Parliamentary Party Leader, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, has demanded a ban on online gaming in India, citing significant dangers, especially to mental health. He highlighted that addiction to these games has driven some individuals to suicide due to mounting debts.
Speaking in the recently concluded Budget Session of Parliament, Shinde specifically mentioned ‘Junglee Rummy’ and urged for a potential ban on it and similar platforms. He raised concerns about the rising addiction to online games involving financial stakes and emphasized the urgent need for a ban and education on the dangerous effects of this addiction.
Shinde pointed out that the online gaming market in India is projected to reach 30 billion dollars by 2025, with a substantial portion attributed to games like Junglee Rummy. According to a 2023 report by the National Council, 30% of youth are experiencing mental health issues due to online gaming, and 3.5% of adults are suffering from gaming disorders. Additionally, 40% of people have fallen prey to the allure of winning money.
Shinde stressed the need to educate students in schools and colleges, as well as the broader society, about the dangers of online gaming addiction. He also called for strict regulations to bring discipline and control to this sector, helping to protect the younger generation from falling into harmful addiction.
Doubts Revealed
Shiv Sena -: Shiv Sena is a political party in India, mainly based in the state of Maharashtra. It was founded by Bal Thackeray in 1966.
MP -: MP stands for Member of Parliament. It is a person who has been elected to represent the people in the Parliament, which is the place where laws are made in India.
Shrikant Eknath Shinde -: Shrikant Eknath Shinde is a politician from the Shiv Sena party and serves as a Member of Parliament in India.
Online Gaming -: Online gaming refers to playing video games over the internet. These games can be played on computers, smartphones, or gaming consoles.
Mental Health -: Mental health is about how we think, feel, and behave. Good mental health means feeling good about yourself and being able to handle everyday challenges.
Financial Stability -: Financial stability means having enough money to cover your needs and being able to manage your finances well without falling into debt.
Parliament -: Parliament is the place where elected representatives meet to make laws and discuss important issues in a country. In India, it consists of two houses: the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Junglee Rummy -: Junglee Rummy is an online card game that people play for fun and sometimes for money. It can be addictive and lead to financial problems if not played responsibly.
Addiction -: Addiction is when someone cannot stop doing something harmful, like playing games too much or using drugs. It can affect their health and daily life.
Debt -: Debt is money that someone owes to another person or organization. If you borrow money and can’t pay it back, you are in debt.
Suicides -: Suicides are when people take their own lives because they feel very sad or hopeless. It is a serious issue and can be caused by many factors, including addiction and financial problems.
Regulations -: Regulations are rules made by the government to control or manage activities. They are meant to protect people and ensure things are done safely and fairly.