Sajjanar’s Deccani-style Warning against Chinese Manja Evokes Good Response
Sajjanar's innovative outreach, delivered through a series of tweets with the hashtag #SayNoToChineseManja, has struck a chord on social media and is rapidly going viral
Hyderabad: “Miya, patang udao… gardan math kaato (Friend, fly kites… but don’t slit someone’s throat).” This is not a movie dialogue but a sharp, street-smart warning issued by Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar on ‘X’ ahead of Sankranti, cautioning the public against the deadly use of Chinese manja.
Breaking away from routine police advisories, Sajjanar has adopted a distinctly Hyderabadi tone, blending Deccani Urdu and Telangana dialect to drive home a serious message - kite flying is fine, but it should not cost someone their life. His innovative outreach, delivered through a series of tweets with the hashtag #SayNoToChineseManja, has struck a chord on social media and is rapidly going viral.
Shedding the usual stern “khaki” image, the city police chief took on the avatar of a friendly Hyderabadi ‘bhai’, using humour, local idioms and cultural references. “China ka samaan… chale toh chand tak, warna shaam tak,” he quipped, before issuing a blunt warning: anyone using Chinese manja would go “seedha andar” (straight to jail).
While police warnings are typically framed in legal language and sections of law, Sajjanar’s approach stands out for its relatability. By using the city’s soul—Deccani Urdu and Telangana slang—as his weapon of awareness, he has managed to connect especially with the youth.
“Apan Hyderabad mein aisa nahi karte miya… Chinese manja is equal to full danger,” he said, urging people to think about the fatal consequences when sharp manja gets entangled around the necks of two-wheeler riders.
Clarifying that the police are not against kite flying, Sajjanar appealed to citizens to celebrate responsibly. “Patang udao, khushi manao… lekin Chinese manja use math karo,” he said, asking people to imagine the life-and-death situations caused by the banned thread.
Calling it not just a festive issue but a matter of survival, he described it as a “zindagi aur maut ka scene,” reinforcing the message through repeated posts on X (formerly Twitter).
In addition to Deccani Urdu, Sajjanar also issued warnings in pure Telangana dialect, stating that Chinese manja is “extremely dangerous” and should be avoided at all costs. He warned that anyone found storing, selling or using it would face strict legal action.
Sajjanar’s call—“Milke Hyderabad ko safe banate yaaro” (Let’s together make Hyderabad safe)—has received an overwhelming response online, with netizens widely sharing his posts and joining the #SayNoToChineseManja campaign, turning a police warning into a people’s movement.
A netizen Ravi Bopparaju said, “That's superlative. We are elated to know about this initiative. The fact is we have lost all interest in flying kites ever since these plastic manjas have come to play. We have taken note of the helpline and we shall report every incident of plastic Manjas being used.”
Another netizen Mohammed Mouzam Ali said, “Bilkul Sahi Farmaya Kothwal Sahab Apne.”
