‘Big B’ Alarmed By ‘The Blue Whale’ Influence On Youngsters; Rajya Sabha MPs Seek Action 

Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has expressed concern over the impact of The Blue Whale internet game which reportedly claimed the life of a teenager here on Sunday.

Taking to his Twitter handle, Amitabh tweeted: "Reading alarming news on a dangerous internet game being played by the young! Life is given to live, not give it up before time."

He was referring to 14-year-old schoolboy Manpreet Singh Sahani who allegedly committed suicide from jumping off the fifth floor of his building in Shere-e-Punjab Colony in Andheri East on July 30.

Prior to his death leap, the class nine student texted a friend of his intentions: "I am going to the building to jump." Before anybody could rush to help him, he had already jumped off the building. His friends claim that he was playing the 50-day 'dare challenge' of The Blue Whale and when he spoke of not attending school anymore and about the suicide, most dismissed it lightly.

MPs Seek Action Against Online Games Like 'Blue Whale'

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha members on Thursday demanded an action against online games like 'Blue Whale', alleging that it was linked to suicide of a young boy in Maharashtra last week.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the House, Amar Shankar Sable (BJP) said school boy Manpreet, who allegedly committed suicide by jumping from a building, was playing 'Blue Whale' game for 50 days.

He said about 130 suicides linked to the game have taken place in America, Russia, England and Italy. Sable said participants in the game are given instructions like 'watch horror movies', 'travel without ticket in train', and later they are asked to commit suicide.

"Manpreet has become the first victim (of the game)," he said and demanded measures to ensure young people are not affected due to the 'Blue Whale' game. He said the matter was also raised in the Maharashtra assembly.

His party colleague Vikas Mahatme said there are other games also which are very interactive and addictive. In agreement with the BJP members, Sanjay Seth of SP said there should be provisions to remove such games from website.