In a surprising move, the Governor of Tamil Nadu has returned a bill that would have banned online gambling games in the state. The decision has drawn both praise and criticism from various quarters.
The bill, titled “Tamil Nadu Gaming and Police Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021,” was passed by the state legislative assembly in February. It sought to amend the Tamil Nadu Gaming Act, 1930, and the Tamil Nadu City Police Act, 1888, to prohibit online gaming, including rummy and poker, and impose penalties on those who violate the law.
The bill was sent to the Governor, Banwarilal Purohit, for his assent. However, instead of signing it into law, the Governor returned the bill to the assembly with a message seeking clarification on certain provisions of the bill.
In his message, the Governor expressed concern that the bill could be interpreted to ban even games of skill, such as chess and bridge, and suggested that the bill be amended to exclude such games from the ban.
The Governor also sought clarification on the penalty provisions of the bill, which prescribed imprisonment and fines for those who engaged in online gambling. He suggested that the penalties be revised to make them proportionate to the gravity of the offense.
The Governor’s decision has been welcomed by some, who see it as a sign of his commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens. They argue that the bill, as it stood, was too broad and could have led to harassment of innocent people.
However, others have criticized the Governor’s decision, saying that it shows a lack of political will to address the problem of online gambling, which they see as a growing menace in the state. They argue that online gambling is a serious problem that has ruined many lives and that the bill was a step in the right direction to tackle it.
Online gambling has become a contentious issue in Tamil Nadu in recent years, with many people, particularly young people, getting addicted to it. The state government has been under pressure to take action to curb the spread of online gambling, which is seen as a social evil that promotes vice and crime.
The ban on online gambling has been a long-standing demand of various groups, including social activists, political parties, and religious organizations. They argue that online gambling is a form of exploitation that preys on vulnerable people and ruins their lives.
However, opponents of the ban argue that it is an infringement of individual freedom and that people should be allowed to gamble if they choose to do so. They also point out that the ban would hurt the livelihoods of many people who earn their living from online gambling, such as website operators and service providers.
The Governor’s decision to return the bill has now thrown the ball back into the court of the state government, which will have to decide on the next course of action. It remains to be seen whether the government will amend the bill as suggested by the Governor or pass it as it is.
In any case, the issue of online gambling is unlikely to go away anytime soon, and the state government will have to come up with a comprehensive policy to address it. While there is no doubt that online gambling is a serious problem that needs to be tackled, it is equally important to ensure that any measures taken to address it are fair, proportionate, and do not infringe on individual rights and freedoms.
