Karnataka Dy CM Warns of Criminal Action Over Reckless Use of Banned Manja After Woman’s Death

His warning came after 38-year-old Vidya Manjunath Gowdar, a laboratory technician from Hubballi, died when a sharp, glass-coated kite string, commonly known as manja, became entangled around her neck while she was riding a scooter on Karwar Road on Thursday.

In a statement, Parameshwara described the incident as deeply distressing and unacceptable, saying the tragedy had devastated an innocent family and highlighted the continuing dangers posed by the use of banned manja.

“No moment of entertainment is worth a human life. No celebration can justify leaving a family in lifelong grief,” he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the government had taken the incident seriously and would consider strengthening enforcement measures to prevent similar fatalities.

Despite the existing ban on dangerous manja threads, their sale and use continue to pose a serious public safety concern, he said. Parameshwara added that he would hold discussions with the concerned ministers and senior officials to review enforcement mechanisms and existing legal provisions, and consider tighter regulations if necessary.

Reckless use could invite criminal charges

Warning those who continued to use manja despite being aware of its risks, Parameshwara said deliberately putting other people's lives in danger could go beyond negligence and amount to a criminal offence.

“This is not merely a matter of law enforcement. It is a question of humanity, conscience and collective responsibility,” he said, noting that several innocent people had lost their lives in incidents involving dangerous kite strings.

He also cautioned against turning kite flying into a competition that endangered unsuspecting members of the public. Kite flying, he said, should remain a recreational activity, while reckless contests and gambling associated with the activity could not be tolerated when public safety was compromised.

“Behind every such tragedy is a family whose world has been shattered. No apology, no compensation and no punishment can restore the life that has been lost. Our responsibility is to ensure that such tragedies are prevented,” he said.

Parameshwara stressed that the government would act firmly against violations of the ban but said enforcement alone would not be sufficient without public cooperation.

Appealing to citizens to avoid dangerous kite strings, he urged people to place the safety of others above personal entertainment.

“Human life is sacred. It cannot be the price of someone's entertainment,” he said.

Police intensify crackdown in Hubballi-Dharwad

Following Gowdar's death, Karnataka Police have intensified their crackdown on the sale and use of banned manja in the Hubballi-Dharwad region.

Police teams have conducted raids on shops and warehouses, seized stocks of the prohibited string and warned traders against selling the material.

According to reports, Gowdar was travelling near Shivashankar Colony on Karwar Road in Hubballi when a hanging glass-coated kite string caught her neck and cut her throat, causing fatal injuries.

The incident has renewed concerns over the enforcement of restrictions on dangerous kite strings and the risks they pose to motorists, pedestrians and other members of the public.