In yet another tragic incident, a young man from Tamil Nadu took his own life after reportedly losing a significant amount of money on an online rummy platform. The deceased, identified as Karthik (name changed for privacy reasons), was found hanging in his room by family members on Monday morning.
According to sources close to the family, Karthik had been struggling with a gambling addiction for the past few months, primarily focusing on online rummy. He had accumulated a large debt and had been trying to recover his losses by placing more bets, but unfortunately, his efforts proved fruitless.
This incident has once again brought the issue of online gambling to the forefront, with many calling for stricter regulations and a complete ban on such platforms. Former Union Health Minister and founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) party, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, has been a vocal advocate for banning online gambling in Tamil Nadu and has urged the state government to take immediate action.
In a statement released after Karthik’s death, Ramadoss expressed his deep condolences to the family and stressed the urgent need for a ban on online gambling. He pointed out that online rummy and other forms of gambling are causing immense harm to individuals and their families, leading to financial ruin and in some cases, even suicide.
Ramadoss also highlighted the growing prevalence of online gambling among young people, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many are spending more time at home and turning to online platforms for entertainment. He called for a comprehensive approach to tackling the issue, including stricter laws, enforcement measures, and awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of online gambling.
The tragic death of Karthik has once again underscored the urgent need for action to curb the spread of online gambling in Tamil Nadu. As more and more individuals fall victim to the allure of easy money and the thrill of online betting, it is imperative that the state government takes decisive steps to protect its citizens from the harms of this addictive practice. Dr. Ramadoss’s plea for a ban on online gambling must be heeded to prevent further tragedies like the one that befell Karthik and his family.
