A new and dangerous Diwali trend has left several families shattered in Madhya Pradesh. At least 14 children have lost their eyesight and over 120 others have been hospitalized after playing with homemade “carbide guns,” a crude and explosive device being called the latest Diwali craze.
The worst-hit area is Vidisha, where local shops openly sold these banned items despite a state-wide prohibition issued on October 18. Police have arrested six people for illegally manufacturing and selling the devices.
Doctors across Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Gwalior have reported a surge in eye injuries among children. At Bhopal’s Hamidia Hospital alone, 26 children were admitted within three days. Medical experts warn that the so-called carbide gun, made from pipes filled with calcium carbide, matchstick heads, and gunpowder, acts like a mini bomb.
Dr Manish Sharma, CMHO at Hamidia Hospital, said, “The explosion releases hot gas and metal fragments that directly damage the retina. Many children have suffered irreversible blindness.”
Police say the growing popularity of these guns stems from viral videos on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, where youngsters have been posting clips of the so-called “Firecracker Gun Challenge.” Authorities have urged parents to be vigilant and ensure children stay away from such dangerous experiments.
