The hugely popular online multi-player game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, popularly known as PUBG, will be banned in Gujarat's schools, the state primary education department said in a circular on Tuesday. The ban was necessary as children were getting addicted to the game and it was "adversely affecting their studies", the circular said.
The directive was issued just days after a students' body in Jammu and Kashmir asked for a ban on PUBG too, blaming it for poor examination results.
PUBG was launched in December 2017, and has since acquired a massive fan base in India and worldwide. Every day, the game has around 10 million people logging in. On Twitter, news of its ban in Gujarat's primary schools drew mixed reactions. While some termed the ban unnecessary, others called for it to be extended to other states too.
"Gujarat banning PUBG is plain preposterous. Games ignite creativity which schools have failed to do. The government has absolutely no right to do this," wrote one Twitter user.
"Please ban PUBG in India... This game is spoiling citizens who are addicted to it," another countered.
Take a look at some of the reactions to the PUBG ban below:
@sarbanandsonwal sir why don't you ban PUBG in Assam as its badly effecting study of children as well as teenagers also.
— Sangita Nath (@Sangita27487531) January 25, 2019
Parents play Candy Crush no one bats an eye, Kids play PUBG and everyone looses their minds.
— uc_human (@uc_human) January 25, 2019
everyone must be educated, not just the kids #TeachIndia #PubgBan
Many youngsters lost their jobs.
— Bhavna Bajaj (@bhavna_bajaj) January 24, 2019
Some divorce cases have been filed.
Now poor performance of students in exams due to spending more time in this game.
*Gujrat & jammu are among 1st to put a ban on PuBG mobile.*
Research studies around the world have found no relation between gaming and it's effects on success of students academically. Gujarat banning PUBG is plain preposterous. Games ignite creativity which schools have failed to do. The government has absolutely no right to do this.
— Gaurav Shetty (@gauravshetty4) January 25, 2019
A few cracked jokes too
PUBG is gonna ban soon in Gujarat #rippubg #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/TVoMCP3yBR
— ARJIT (@vermaarjit007) January 24, 2019
Gujarat pubg ban pic.twitter.com/wCgIbqU8g7
— Abhi Mishra (@410Mishra) January 24, 2019
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recommended a ban on the game across the country, said Jagruti Pandya, chairperson of the Gujarat child rights body.
"The NCPCR had sent a letter to all the states and recommended a ban on the game. All the states are required to implement it. Looking at the negative effects of the game, we had recently sent a letter to the state government recommending a ban on the game" said Ms Pandya.
