• Source:JND
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At least 122 children across Madhya Pradesh have been hospitalised with severe eye injuries, and 14 have reportedly lost their eyesight due to accidents involving so-called “carbide guns” or “desi firecracker guns.” The worst-affected district is Vidisha, where local markets allegedly continued to sell these crude, makeshift devices despite a statewide ban issued on October 18.

Sold for Rs 150-200, these homemade gadgets resemble toys but function like explosive devices, often resulting in serious injuries.

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Vidisha police have since arrested six individuals for the illegal sale of these explosive devices. Inspector RK Mishra said, "Immediate action has been taken. Those responsible for selling or promoting these carbide guns will face legal consequences."

Hospitals in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior are reportedly filled with young patients suffering eye injuries caused by these explosive devices. At Bhopal’s Hamidia Hospital alone, 26 children were admitted within just 72 hours.

Dr Manish Sharma, CMHO, Hamidia Hospital, said, "This device causes direct damage to the eyes. The explosion releases metal fragments and carbide vapors that burn the retina. We are treating several cases where children's pupils ruptured, leading to permanent blindness."

Several of the injured children are currently being treated in intensive care units, and doctors fear many may never fully regain their vision. Investigations reveal that children are making these so-called “carbide guns” using plastic or tin pipes filled with gunpowder, matchstick heads, and calcium carbide, then igniting the mixture through a small hole. The resulting chemical reaction triggers a violent blast that shoots out debris and burning gas, often striking the face and eyes directly.

Police report that these makeshift guns are being openly sold as “mini cannons” at local fairs and roadside stalls, with no safety checks in place. The real fuel behind the trend, however, appears to be social media, particularly Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, where videos under the “Firecracker Gun Challenge” hashtag have gone viral, showing teenagers firing the devices in pursuit of likes and views.

Victims Reactions 

One of the victims, 17-year-old Neha, currently recovering at Hamidia Hospital, recounted, “We bought a homemade carbide gun. When it exploded, one of my eyes burned completely. I can’t see anything.”

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Another victim, Raj Vishwakarma, admitted, "I saw videos on social media and tried to make a firecracker gun at home. It exploded in my face and I lost my eye."

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