Mirwaiz Umar Farooq calls for ban on betting apps

SRINAGAR — Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Friday, called for a blanket ban on online betting apps in the region, warning that these apps are increasingly consuming the younger generation and leading to severe financial losses.

Speaking at the Friday sermon at the Kashmir Grand Mosque, Mirwaiz highlighted cases of youth facing financial devastation and even depression due to addiction to betting apps like Dream11 and MyCircle11.

As per the news agency KNO, Mirwaiz recounted specific cases, sharing that a young man from Baramulla recently lost Rs. 79 lahks, while another from Pulwama lost Rs. 42 lakh, forcing his family to sell their home.

“Another youth lost Rs. 32 lakh and has fallen into depression,” he said, expressing concern over the widespread impact of such apps, which often feature prominent sports and movie stars as brand ambassadors.

Mirwaiz lamented the influence of mobile phones and social media on the youth, stating, “Our children have mobile phones, and their parents often don’t know what they’re accessing. Social media has become like a drug, and we must ensure minimal use of mobile devices.”

He appealed to the government to take swift action, pointing out that states like Assam, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, and Nagaland have already imposed bans on these apps.

He concluded by urging the authorities to prioritize banning these platforms in Jammu and Kashmir to prevent further harm. “These apps lure youth with promises of easy money but devastate their lives instead. This is Haram (forbidden) and must be stopped immediately.”