Hyderabad: In a strong statement on Friday, K. Narayana, the national secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), slammed celebrities and influencers who promote betting apps, calling such endorsements unacceptable. The CPI leader voiced concern about this while interacting with the media in Hyderabad and requested taking action against these promoters when police have already started investigating a few of those well-known.
While earning money is not wrong in itself, it is "cheap" and harmful to the public, he said. "It is not wrong to earn money, but earning it by indulging cheaply in promoting betting apps is unacceptable," he said. His remarks came in the backdrop of a new trend among superstars lending their names to online betting platforms directed at vulnerable audiences.
The controversy began earlier when many of the film stars and social-influencer types were found by the flash ads to promote these betting apps, leading to woe and concern into the public more about their influence. Such celebrity promotion holds great power within those circles and, as much trust people display about their normative endorsements, with little or no consideration to risk or disbenefits, such promotions may have dire social and ethical consequences, particularly in light of how betting impacts individuals and families.
The Punjab police have already started acting against some celebrities, and there are different cases pending investigations. Narayana's comments add fuel to the fire of the endless debate surrounding public figures' responsibility in promoting or endorsing products that could be harmful to society. As the argument continues, it will be interesting to see how authorities manage this growing issue.
[Source Credit: Deccan Chronicle]
