The Ban On PUBG Mobile Has Been Lifted In Several Gujarat Cities

The ban on PUBG Mobile has been lifted in the city of Ahmedabad and several others after it received a huge backlash from fans of the game on social media. Implemented on the 14^th of March, this ban reportedly saw 20 people from Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Rajkot getting arrested under section 188 of IPC for playing the game. All of these people were later released on bail, but the discussion around PUBG Mobile and its ban is still a highly controversial topic in India.

Previously, PUBG Mobile was banned from all primary schools in Gujarat by the state’s authority. A few academic institutions claimed that there is a direct correlation between violent games such as this popular battle royale and the mental wellbeing of children. The game is also branded as the cause of reduced academic performance amongst children.

Regarding the lifting of the ban, Anup Kumar Singh, Ahmedabad police commissioner, said: "...as the exam session is over and the direct trigger to initiating the action is not valid anymore, we will not renew the proclamation. We have also taken public reaction into account".

"However, we are still concerned about the matter, as we are coming across extreme use of the game. We have decided to take more aggressive affirmative action. Maybe we will initiate a discussion and helpline services to provoke various resources in the civil society", he added.

To respond to the criticism, the developers of PUBG Mobile made a statement saying they are willing to work with a multitude of stakeholders to deliver the best overall experience. They are also reportedly testing a “Healthy Gameplay System”, which stops players from continuing with their games after they’ve played for 6 hours in a day and demands that they come back later.

Despite all the controversies, PUBG Mobile is still going strong in India. It is currently celebrating its birthday with several special events. Moreover, many future updates are scheduled down the line, which promise to add tons of new content for players to enjoy.