Chinese Manja Is Killing People and the Allahabad High Court Has Had Enough
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It keeps happening. Almost every day, somewhere in the country, someone gets injured - or worse, loses their life - because of Chinese manja. That thin, deadly thread that slices through skin like it's nothing has already taken too many lives, and now the Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench is pressing the Uttar Pradesh government for real answers.
The court didn't just ask politely. It wanted to know exactly what concrete steps the state government has taken to stop this thread from reaching the market in the first place.
What the UP Government Told the Court
During the hearing held on Monday, the state government informed the bench that work is already underway on a law to ban synthetic manja. A six-member committee has reportedly been formed specifically for this purpose.
It's a start - but the court clearly wasn't satisfied with "we're working on it."
Senior Officials Must Appear at the Next Hearing
The bench, comprising Justices Rajan Roy and Manjeev Shukla, took a firm stance and ordered that secretaries - or officials holding a rank above secretary - from both the Home Department and the Environment Department must appear before the court via video conferencing at the next hearing, scheduled for July 13th.
This order came while the court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by local advocate M.L. Yadav, who brought the issue to the court's attention.
The message from the bench was clear: this matter deserves attention at the highest administrative level, not just routine responses from lower-ranking officials.
NGT Has Already Banned It - So Why Is It Still Out There?
During the proceedings, counsel for the central government, Rajkumar Singh, pointed out that the National Green Tribunal has already banned the use of lead-coated and nylon manja. That ban exists on paper.
But as anyone living in an Indian city during kite-flying season knows, Chinese manja is still widely available and openly used in many places. The gap between what's banned and what's actually enforced on the ground remains frustratingly wide.
A Ban Alone Isn't Enough, Says the Court
The High Court made an important observation during the hearing — one that gets to the heart of why these incidents keep repeating year after year. Simply passing a ban or issuing an order isn't sufficient. The responsibility of the state government doesn't end at legislation.
The bench specifically said that the government must ensure effective enforcement of the ban and conduct inspections at locations where such manja is being manufactured and sold. That means going after the supply chain, not just penalising the end user flying a kite.
Kite Association Claims Harassment - Court Responds Firmly
Adding another layer to the hearing, the city's Kite Association stepped in by filing an intervention application. The association alleged that its members were being unnecessarily targeted and harassed by police and other officials in the name of cracking down on Chinese string.
The High Court acknowledged the concern but didn't let the association off the hook either. The bench made it clear that association members need to actively cooperate in efforts to stop the use of banned manja — not resist or complain about enforcement. At the same time, the court directed the government to ensure that law-abiding kite sellers and enthusiasts are not harassed without reason.
It was a balanced but firm response - cooperate with the system, and the system won't come down on you unfairly.
The Bigger Picture
Chinese manja - made from synthetic fibres often coated with glass, metal, or chemicals — is far more dangerous than traditional cotton thread. It doesn't break easily, doesn't degrade, and when it snaps and flies loose, it can cut through a person's neck or hand in seconds. Motorcyclists, cyclists, and children playing outdoors are especially vulnerable.
Deaths and severe injuries from this thread are reported across multiple states every year, particularly during festivals like Makar Sankranti and Independence Day when kite flying peaks. Despite national-level bans and multiple court interventions, the thread continues to flow through informal markets and local shops with little resistance.
The Allahabad High Court's latest push signals that patience is running thin. July 13th will be a critical date to watch - and this time, the state government will need to show up with more than just a committee update.
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