Manja thread death: Karnataka Dy CM Parameshwara warns of criminal charges for reckless use
Synopsis
A banned glass-coated kite string killed a 38-year-old woman on a Hubballi road — and Karnataka's Deputy CM is now warning that continued use of manja could amount to a criminal offence. With police raids already under way in Hubballi-Dharwad, the state is facing pressure to convert political outrage into enforceable action.
Key Takeaways
Vidya Manjunath Gowdar , a 38-year-old laboratory technician from Hubballi , died on 22 October after a banned glass-coated manja string slit her throat while she rode her scooter on Karwar Road .
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G.
Parameshwara called the death deeply distressing and warned that knowingly endangering public safety with manja could amount to a criminal offence .
Parameshwara said he would consult ministers and senior officials to strengthen enforcement and, if necessary, tighten existing regulations.
Karnataka Police have launched raids on shops and godowns in the Hubballi-Dharwad region, seizing manja stocks and warning traders against selling the banned material.
The Deputy CM appealed to citizens to reject dangerous manja and place public safety above personal entertainment.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara on Friday, 23 October described the manja thread death of Vidya Manjunath Gowdar in Hubballi as deeply distressing and unacceptable, warning that those who knowingly endanger public safety with the banned glass-coated kite string could face criminal prosecution. The statement came a day after the 38-year-old laboratory technician died on Karwar Road when a hanging manja string sliced her throat as she rode her scooter near Shivashankar Colony.
What Parameshwara Said
In an official statement, Parameshwara said the incident had devastated an innocent family and exposed the deadly consequences of the continued use of manja threads despite an existing ban. He emphasised that knowingly putting innocent lives at risk goes beyond negligence. 'No moment of entertainment is worth a human life. No celebration can justify leaving a family in lifelong grief,' he said.
He added: 'This is not merely a matter of law enforcement. It is a question of humanity, conscience and collective responsibility.' Parameshwara stressed that the government would hold discussions with the ministers concerned and senior officials to strengthen enforcement, review existing legal provisions, and, if necessary, tighten regulations against violators.
How Vidya Manjunath Gowdar Died
Vidya Manjunath Gowdar, a 38-year-old laboratory technician from Hubballi, was travelling on her scooter along Karwar Road on Thursday, 22 October when a glass-coated kite string hanging across the road caught her neck and slit her throat, causing her death. The fatal incident occurred near Shivashankar Colony. Notably, this is among a series of casualties across India attributed to banned manja strings, which have claimed several lives in similar scooter and motorcycle incidents over recent years.
Police Crackdown in Hubballi-Dharwad
Following the death, the Karnataka Police intensified a crackdown on the sale and use of banned manja in the Hubballi-Dharwad region. Officers conducted raids on shops and godowns, seized stocks of manja rope, and warned traders against stocking or selling the banned material. The enforcement drive signals a shift toward proactive action rather than reactive response after casualties occur.
Government's Next Steps
Parameshwara made clear that legal measures alone would not suffice without public cooperation. He cautioned against turning kite flying into reckless competitions that compromise public safety and said kite-flying-related gambling that endangers bystanders could not be tolerated. '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,' he said, reiterating the government's commitment to firmer enforcement and accountability.
He appealed to citizens to reject dangerous manja and prioritise the safety of others above personal entertainment. How swiftly the government translates this political commitment into ground-level enforcement will determine whether more lives are spared.
Point of View
No new law, no independent enforcement mechanism announced. The manja ban has existed for years, yet glass-coated strings remain freely available in many Karnataka markets, pointing to a chronic gap between policy and implementation. This is not the first such death in the state, and the cycle of tragedy followed by political condemnation followed by resumed sale is depressingly familiar. The real test is whether the Hubballi-Dharwad crackdown is sustained beyond the immediate news cycle, and whether the government moves to criminalise the supply chain — manufacturers and bulk distributors — rather than just street-level traders.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Vidya Manjunath Gowdar and how did she die?
Vidya Manjunath Gowdar was a 38-year-old laboratory technician from Hubballi, Karnataka, who died on 22 October after a banned glass-coated kite manja string hanging across Karwar Road caught her neck and slit her throat as she rode her scooter near Shivashankar Colony.
What action has Karnataka Deputy CM G. Parameshwara announced after the manja death?
Parameshwara warned that reckless use of manja that endangers innocent lives could amount to a criminal offence. He said he would hold discussions with concerned ministers and senior officials to strengthen enforcement, review legal provisions, and tighten regulations against violators if necessary.
Is manja banned in Karnataka?
Yes, dangerous glass-coated manja threads are banned in Karnataka. However, their continued sale and use remain a persistent concern, as acknowledged by Parameshwara himself, prompting calls for stronger enforcement.
What has the Karnataka Police done in response to the Hubballi manja death?
Karnataka Police intensified a crackdown in the Hubballi-Dharwad region following the death, conducting raids on shops and godowns, seizing stocks of manja rope, and warning traders against selling the banned material.
Why is manja considered dangerous?
Manja — particularly glass-coated or synthetic kite string — is razor-sharp and can cause fatal injuries to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists when it hangs at neck level across roads. Multiple deaths across India have been attributed to such strings, leading to bans in several states.
