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'Pokémon GO' Release Date In India Still Unconfirmed; New PIL Supports Mobile Game

'Pokémon GO' Release Date In India Still Unconfirmed; New PIL Supports Mobile Game

J Rose

The year is about to end, and almost four months after its initial release, there is still no new news about the release date of Niantic Labs' augmented reality game "Pokémon GO" in India.

The long wait is particularly frustrating for aspiring Pokémon trainers in India, which potentially has one of the largest gaming markets in the world. Niantic Labs has already acknowledged India in one of its blog posts, but the country is still waiting for the game until now.

Why is "Pokémon GO" not live in India yet? Some have speculated that the release is being hampered by public interest litigations filed against "Pokémon GO". Now another PIL has been filed, this time in favor of the popular mobile game.

According to Times of India, another petition was recently filed in Gujarat High Court in support of "Pokémon GO."

The petitioner, Bachelor of Computer Application Chaitanya Limbachiya, argued that the game has promoted communal harmony. This was said to counter another PIL wherein the game is said to be "hurting religious sentiments" by showing virtual eggs in places of worship.

"Hindus visit church, Muslims started visiting temples and the Christians go to Masjids while playing this game," Limbachiya pointed out on his petition. "This will ultimately make people more secular than ever."

"The game has strengthened community relations irrespective of their class, caste, religion and color, which our governments have failed to do." the petitioner added.

Limbachiya requested the high court to include him as one of the parties in the ongoing litigation. The hearing will continue on Nov. 15, as the government has asked additional time to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, Pokémon fans in India remain optimistic about the game launch.

"Let me just stop you there for a second and ask you, does the PIL count for a ban in Bangladesh?" Twitter user Abishek Padaki posted (shared by the unofficial Pokémon GO India Twitter account). "How about Pakistan? Or even Sri Lanka and Nepal? No."

"So like I've said many times, the PIL has nothing to do with the release!" he continued. "The game would probably come out as a Subcontinent release that include: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and other subcontinental countries. Don't heed to baseless rumors."

Stay tuned for more "Pokémon GO" news.

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