Prayagraj, January 14: The Allahabad High Court has once again ordered the state government to strictly ban the manufacture and sale of Chinese manja, stating that it is not only harmful to humans but also to birds.
This order was given by a division bench of Chief Justice Arun Bhasali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra on a public interest petition filed by Jaunpur advocate Himanshu Srivastava and two others. The court stated that instructions were issued in 2015 to ban Chinese manja, but these were not followed, and petitions are being filed.
This petition was filed regarding incidents involving Chinese manja in Jaunpur. The High Court strictly directed the state government to impose a complete ban on the manufacture, sale, and use of Chinese manja in the entire state, including Jaunpur. Because the High Court has already issued an order, and the state government is bound to comply with the previous order. Whenever kite flying is at its peak, it is the state government’s responsibility to impose a complete ban on the manufacture, consumption, and sale of Chinese manjha, as it poses a threat to human and bird life. Advocate Shiva Priya Prasad, representing the petitioners, argued the petition.
It was stated that the thread, glass powder, and glue used to make Chinese manjha make it as sharp as a razor blade, capable of cutting any part of the body, even when wearing clothing. This constantly endangers human life, the lives of animals, and birds, and people are being injured. This manjha is deadly.
It was stated that on December 11, 2025, a teacher, Sandeep Tiwari, died after his throat was slit by Chinese manjha while returning from school on Shastri Bridge. On November 19, 2015, the High Court, in response to a public interest petition, ordered the state government to direct all district collectors to impose a complete ban on Chinese manjha.
However, despite the order, its sale and consumption continued in the district. In addition to the teacher, Uttam Dubey also died on September 15, 2015, after his throat was slit by Chinese manjha.