New Delhi: A heated scene unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw tabled the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, triggering noisy protests from the Opposition that forced the House to adjourn within minutes of its introduction.
The proposed legislation seeks to bring India’s booming online gaming industry under a national framework. It covers e-sports, educational and social games while imposing a complete ban on cross-border and foreign-based online money games, citing risks of addiction, fraud, and privacy breaches. The Bill also envisions a special regulatory authority to coordinate policies, ensure compliance, and safeguard national interests.
Despite its stated goals of protecting youth and maintaining financial integrity, the Bill’s introduction was drowned out by Opposition sloganeering. The disruptions prompted Speaker’s repeated calls for order, but the House was forced to adjourn until 2 p.m.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned the conduct, remarking that Parliament’s credibility was at stake. “Even schoolchildren now question the decorum of lawmakers. The public is watching,” he said, urging MPs to engage in constructive debate rather than chaos.
When the House reconvened in the afternoon under PC Mohan, routine business resumed. Ministerial statements were laid on subjects ranging from personnel and health to finance and consumer affairs. The Secretary General also informed members about a Rajya Sabha message on the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025.
Committee reports were presented on several sectors, including agriculture, chemicals, fisheries, education, cybercrime, housing, and aviation safety. Among the notable submissions were the 254th Report on cybercrime tabled by Satish Kumar Gautam and the 380th Report on aviation safety presented by Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri.
The day’s developments underscored the uneasy balance between political discord and legislative urgency, with the Online Gaming Bill now awaiting detailed scrutiny in what could become a defining debate on India’s digital future.
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