CM Stalin's victory against Online Rummy proves Dravidian model a success

Updated: Monday, May 8, 2023, 13:12 [IST]

May 7 this year marks the second anniversary of the DMK regime in Tamil Nadu. The day is historic in itself as the day is indicative of being in power. When Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was sworn in as the head of the State, he prompted the term "Dravidian model government", which drew the attention of the nation.

Resurrection, after 60 years!

CM Stalins victory against Online Rummy proves Dravidian model a success

While taking the oath of office as CM, Stalin elaborated himself as "I, Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin..." It came into vogue on a national scale at the time. He also inscribed the word 'Dravidian Stock' at the same event.

Anna visited Delhi for the first time as a MP in 1962. In his first speech to Parliament, he identified himself as "I am of Dravidian Stock... proud to identify myself as a Dravidian." The same words reverted 60 years later through Stalin.

The CM also frequently employs Arignar Anna's remark, "A goat does not require a beard, nor a State a Governor." The schism between the CM and the Governor reached a climax over the Online Rummy controversy.

State-wise list of fatalities

Online Rummy and mobile games are not just a problem in Tamil Nadu. They have claimed many lives across the country. A 23-year-old college student from Mumbai in Maharashtra committed suicide in 2017 as a result of his internet gambling addiction. Similarly, a 36-year-old guy from Puducherry died in April 2020 after losing thousands of rupees in online rummy.

Following that, in January 2021, a person from Thiruvananthapuram committed suicide after losing 21 lakh. By November of the same year, a 14-year-old kid named Akash died in Thrissur as a result of excessive gaming. In the same State, a 26-year-old lady nearly lost 1.75 crore in an online Rummy lottery game and committed suicide owing to depression in February 2022.

In January 2021, a software developer in Telangana committed suicide, while in March this year, a 23-year-old from Hyderabad committed suicide. In July 2022, another person died in Hyderabad after being hooked to gambling. In August 2022, a government teacher from Telangana's Suryapet district died after taking out a bank loan of crores and squandering it all in internet gaming.

From Instructor to Cop

A 26-year-old man died at Hanumankonda in October 2022. A 21-year-old engineering student committed suicide in January 2023 after losing money in cricket gambling.

If we take the Gujarat list, a 21-year-old engineering student committed suicide in September 2022 after losing money in online games. In Madhya Pradesh, a 21-year-old committed suicide in August 2021, an 11-year-old in January 2022, and a sports teacher in August 2022 as a result of online gambling.

In March 2023, a police officer from Haryana was killed after losing money in online gaming. On February 20, 2022, a 14-year-old boy from Mumbai, a 15-year-old boy from Chhattisgarh, and a 20-year-old college student from Jalandhar, Punjab, committed suicide.

Suicide after parents refused to recharge

A man from Rajasthan lost millions of dollars in mobile game gambling and committed suicide in March 2021. A chef committed suicide in May 2021 after losing his Monet in a Fantasy Sports tournament. A 23-year-old man died after becoming addicted to internet games. He committed suicide after his parents refused to give him money to recharge his mobile internet connection. After losing all of his money in online games, a railway employee murdered his daughter and then his own life.

A teenager from Himachal Pradesh died in April 2022, a 22-year-old from Odisha died in July 2022, a 21-year-old Engineering Student, Vittala Mohan Krishna from Andhra Pradesh died in November 2022, a 10-year-old from Uttar Pradesh died in November 2022, a 23-year-old college student from Uttarakhand died in January 2023, and a person from Karnataka died in February 2023.

Due to online gambling, 32 people died in different states. There were 41 suicide instances reported across the country under the Online gambling segment. In Tamil Nadu, nine people committed suicide. And Tamil Nadu has the highest number of suicides as a result of online gaming.

As a result, CM Stalin elevated this problem to a national level. After much deliberation, Stalin persuaded the Governor of Tamil Nadu to adopt the measure prohibiting Online Rummy.

The Victory of CM Stalin:

People applaud CM Stalin and the DMK government for this accomplishment. Justice (retd) Chandru worked tirelessly with the CM to get this Bill passed.

According to cybercrime lawyer Kartikeyan, "When this Bill becomes a law in Tamil Nadu, it will create fear among people who are involved in online gaming." However, no online gaming companies are based in Tamil Nadu. As a result, when they operate in a different State, it is difficult to recognise and track them. These ban rules and regulations apply solely when two humans are participating in gambling.

The regulation should also include online gambling between humans and machines. In any case, we should applaud the Tamil Nadu government's first step. It did everything in its power to help them. It is now in the hands of the Union government.

Union govt legislation

Union government passed the "Intermediary guidelines and digital media ethics code regulations 2023" law last month. This law requires the creation of a distinct organisation that must function independently. This organisation will examine all of the advantages and disadvantages of online games. Any online game will be uploaded for public use only after they have approved it.

Instead of putting pressure on the public, the Union government should counsel online gaming companies to adhere to the rules and regulations. There will be fewer errors if the guidelines are company-oriented. When a rule is broken, the gambling companies must face legal consequences.

States have the following rights

The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution contains three lists - Union, State and Concurrent. 'Gambling' is on the State list. As a result, the State government has the authority to prohibit it. However, a State government cannot apply the law on its own. For example, it cannot compel Google and its Play Store to do or not to do a thing. Only the Union government has the means to do so. Hence, the Union government should act in accordance with the Bill enacted by the State government."