Uttarayan

Gujarat High Court

Siddharaj Chudasama

National Green Tribunal

NGT

Gujarat

Manisha Shah

Taking a stand on the controversy surround the ban of glass-powder coated manja during, the state government has filed an affidavit stating it is not possible to make the kite-flying thread without coating of any kind. In the affidavit filed before theon Wednesday, the state pleader also submitted that banning coating of the cotton thread used to make the manja would curtail Uttarayan, the kite-flying festival. Enjoying the festival is the fundamental right of people, the pleader pointed out.The pleader put forth that the state has placed a ban on Chinese manja and nylon manja that can lead to casualties and notifications regarding the same have been sent to all districts and cities. The state also submitted that Uttarayan is one of the biggest festivals celebrated with much fervour in the state and the livelihood of lakhs of people is attached to the festival. The state pleader submitted that the figures of casualties submitted by the petitioner is misconceived and without any basis. Most of such incidents were due to the Chinese manja and nylon manja that have been banned.However,, lawyer of the petitioner opposed the affidavit and sought time to file a rejoinder against the state’s reply. The HC bench posted hearing for the case on January 7 following which, the state too sought relief on occasion of filling a plea for contempt of court against them for violating the order of NGT. Bhunesh Rupera, counsel for the petitioner, said: “Theplaced an interim ban on glass-powder coated manja and the chief secretaries of all states were ordered to implement the ban accordingly. However, neither the notification issued by the state on December 17 nor the affidavit submitted to the HC on Wednesday mention the glass-powder coated manja ban. This means the state has not implemented theban on glass-powered coated manja.”The state filed the reply on Wednesday in compliance to an order issued by the Chief Justice Bench of theHC on Monday. Government Pleaderwas not available for comment on the issue when contacted by Mirror. City-based lawyer Siddharaj Chudasama had filed a petition before Gujarat High Court earlier this month seeking a ban or restriction on flying kites during Uttarayan due to the number of deaths and injuries to people and birds due to the glasspowder coated strings.