Why Chinese Manja Still Killing Children Despite Ban Is Alarming

A five-year-old child’s death in Hyderabad due to Chinese manja has once again shaken public confidence in safety enforcement — despite a clear ban already in place.

According to reports, the child was fatally injured after coming into contact with Chinese manja, a glass-coated kite string officially prohibited because of its lethal risk to pedestrians, riders, and animals. The incident has sparked grief, anger, and renewed outrage online, with many asking the same question: what is the point of a ban if it exists only on paper?

This is not an isolated case. Every year, similar incidents resurface during kite-flying seasons, often followed by short-term crackdowns and warnings that fade quickly. Meanwhile, illegal supply chains continue quietly, selling dangerous manja at cheap prices with little fear of consequences.

In simple terms: enforcement collapses after announcements.

Why this matters: For Gen-Z parents and young families, public safety isn’t abstract policy — it’s about whether children can play outside without fatal risk. When banned products continue circulating freely, it signals a system that reacts after tragedy instead of preventing it.

Many online commentators are also pointing out a deeper imbalance. Responsibility often falls on individuals — parents, riders, citizens — while sellers and distributors of illegal manja rarely face lasting punishment. The cost of negligence is paid by ordinary families, not by those profiting from the risk.

Authorities have promised strict action once again. But for many, real justice now means prevention — not condolences after lives are lost.