Mumbai, June 14: The Youth Movement of Maharashtra (YMM), a dedicated organization focused on social welfare, has launched an anti-online gambling campaign from June 7 to June 14, 2024. The campaign, titled “Online Jua Hatao, Desh Ka Yuva Bachav” (Remove Online Gambling, Save the Youth of the Country), aims to address the growing problem of online gambling among the youth in Maharashtra and across India.
During a press conference at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, YMM State President Shaikh Mohammad Rafik highlighted the detrimental impact of online gambling on the youth. He emphasized that the future of the country hinges on the well-being of its young generation. Rafik expressed concern over the increasing number of young individuals engaging in online gambling, citing a survey that indicates 40% of Indian youth participate in online gambling activities, with the figure rising to 50% in Maharashtra.
Rafik pointed out that the majority of those affected are between the ages of 18 and 30. According to another survey, 70% of this age group in India suffers from online gambling addiction. This addiction is leading to severe consequences, including mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) research suggests a higher tendency for suicide among online gamblers compared to the general population.
The press conference also presented a harrowing example of the consequences of online gambling. A small businessman from Bengaluru lost 1.5 crores on a cricket betting app, leading to his wife’s tragic suicide on March 26, 2024. Rafik noted that online gambling not only causes financial ruin but also leads to insomnia, moral degradation, social isolation, and an increase in criminal tendencies as individuals attempt to recoup their losses.
The YMM campaign will utilize a variety of publicity mediums, including banners, auto banners, stickers, social media videos, and handbills. Street plays and corner meetings will be organized to advise youth against the dangers of online gambling.
In the campaign’s second phase, YMM plans to raise public awareness and appeal to authorities to ban online gambling, referencing successful bans in states like Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and Telangana. The third phase involves filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to push for a broader ban on online gambling games through the court system.
Shaikh Mohammad Rafik appealed to the youth to support the campaign and join the efforts to eliminate online gambling from society. The press conference was attended by key members of the YMM Working Committee, including Salman Siddiqui, Awes Ansari, and Asif Sayyed.
