According to an RTI request unearthed by IGN India, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) does not have a role in banning the launch of Battlegrounds Mobile India. 

In the RTI filed by r. Gaurav Tyagi, an assistant professor at JNU, the ministry responded saying that it “has no role in granting any permission for entry of PUBG or any company/mobile app in India.”

As part of my research on predatory practise of Chinese companies in India and it's impact on National Security, had filed an RTI about the relaunch of PUBG Mobile in India by Krafton (in which the Chinese behemoth has the second largest stake). pic.twitter.com/WL5rkThdOb

It has been previously reported that the Indian Government cannot ban the launch of an app in India until it is found violating privacy and/or doing data theft. 

These were the same reasons the Indian Government used for banning a number of Chinese apps last year including PUBG Mobile.

© Krafton

Last week, many BJP leaders were also calling for a ban on the game due to Krafton, the publisher of the game having close ties with China’s Tencent. 

BJP spokesperson Suresh Nakhua and MP Ashok Nete both requested Prime Minister Modi to take action. It’s not the first time Indian Politicians have been calling for a ban on the upcoming battle royale game.

IGN India also cites sources that claim neither Apple nor Google is looking forward to allowing Krafton to launch the game on their respective app stores. IGN’s sources say both companies are hesitant “due to the controversial nature of the app." 

For now, it seems like Battlegrounds Mobile India’s launch will go forward as planned, however, India’s MeitY could take action if the game is found violating rules. It would be prudent to point out that MeitY will be keeping a close on Battlegrounds Mobile India once it launches.  

Source: IGN India

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