Demanding a ban on such apps, Pawar urged the state government to immediately ban the ads and take action against those promoting them, including Bollywood stars.

“I am demanding a ban on online gambling and lottery applications… A false promise of winning prize money is being made to youngsters and they are being taken on the wrong path. Due to unemployment, youngsters have started gambling. Unfortunately, film stars are promoting these bogus gambling applications. At least in Maharashtra, there should be a ban on them. Criminal cases should be filed against these people. On a daily basis, over 100 applications are siphoning off crores of rupees from people. A proper investigation should be conducted to find out who the owners of these applications are. Due to these applications, 42 people have died by suicide. Are we going to wait till people commit suicide in our state? Are we going to spoil our youths,” Pawar said. “The government should take this issue seriously and we also demand that cases should be filed against filmstars who are promoting and advertising these applications,” he added.

While initiating a debate in the Assembly on the Opposition-sponsored resolution on the state’s law and order, Pawar attacked the Eknath Shinde government and said crime had become rampant in his rule.

Pawar said farmers were distressed due to natural calamities and lack of minimum support price for crops, while unemployment and crime, especially against women, were on the rise, but the government was busy pressuring and harassing political rivals.

Stating that on the pretext of “love jihad”, there is an attempt to vitiate the law and order situation in the state by ruling party MLAs, Pawar said, “Some ruling side public representatives are making statements that an anti-love jihad law on the lines of Uttar Pradesh should be brought in the state. However,I urge the government to take care that this religious hatred will not be spread in the state and communal harmony will not be damaged in the state. The decision on bringing this law should be taken after taking everyone into confidence.”