'Blue Whale Challenge' raised in Maharashtra assembly, government mulls ban

A 14-year-old who jumped off a building in Mumbai is said to have been influenced by the online game

Concerns over a deadly online game, Blue Whale Challenge was raised in the Maharashtra assembly on Tuesday. Following the suicide of a teenager suspected to be linked with the game, the government is considering the possibilities of banning Blue Whale Challenge.

Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar raised the issue in assembly and said that the teenager's suicide was an alarm bell. He "After claiming more than 100 lives across the world, the game has reached India. This boy has become its first victim. Those who play this game are controlled by a master to carry out various tasks. This master further pushes the player to commit suicide to win the game, "Ajit Pawar told the house. He added that the police should track down the controllers and initiate action.

The Mumbai police are yet to confirm the link between the teen's suicide and Blue Whale Challenge. Taking cognizance of the concerns raised, Maharashtra Chief Minister said that state government was looking at the possibilities of banning such suicide games. "It is an online game and we will see if it can be controlled. We are probing the tragic suicide of a student. We will coordinate with the Centre to take action and remedies," said Devendra Fadnavis.

He also added that checking such games were difficult since it could be controlled by people outside the country. Fadnavis said that a complete ban on the same may not be possible since it is accessed online.

OneIndia News