Hyderabad: Praja Shanti Party president K.A. Paul on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to issue notices to the Central and State governments over the growing menace of online betting applications, calling it a vital step toward addressing a deepening public health and legal crisis.
Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Paul expressed anguish over the increasing number of suicides attributed to online betting addiction. He claimed that thousands had lost their lives, many after borrowing substantial sums of money, only to fall into financial ruin.
He described betting apps as “millions of times more dangerous than smoking,” pointing to the severe psychological and economic toll they inflict on users. Paul also alleged that over 1,100 celebrities across the country are endorsing these platforms for hefty fees, contributing to their widespread appeal and normalisation.
Paul stressed the need for urgent legislative action, urging the Centre to enact a law banning all betting applications. He also criticised the lack of follow-through on criminal complaints filed in Telangana against individuals promoting such apps, questioning the absence of prosecutions.
In a separate announcement, he confirmed that a peace conference would be held on Saturday evening at Gymkhana Ground, Hyderabad, stating that the event had received permission from the High Court.