In the aftermath of a devastating Diwali marked by widespread injuries, authorities in Bhopal and Gwalior districts have imposed an immediate ban on the sale, purchase, and storage of carbide pipe guns, following reports of nearly 300 people suffering eye irritation, burns, or vision loss from the crude explosives. The government order, issued late Thursday, October 23, 2025, mandates FIRs against violators and directs Sub-District Magistrates to conduct thorough inspections of firecracker outlets. This crackdown comes after festive celebrations turned tragic, with children aged 7 to 14 comprising most victims, prompting health officials to warn of potential permanent blindness in several cases. The bans, enforced under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Defence Code, 2023, extend to manufacturing and use, aiming to curb the unchecked proliferation of these hazardous devices.

Carbide guns, makeshift contraptions that mix calcium carbide with water to produce highly flammable acetylene gas, have long been a Diwali staple in rural and semi-urban Madhya Pradesh despite repeated warnings. The gas explosions not only propel projectiles but also release toxic fumes capable of damaging the eyes, brain, and nervous system, according to the Gwalior Collector’s advisory. Districts like Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, and Vidisha bore the brunt, with Bhopal alone reporting 186 cases of partial or total vision impairment. At Bhopal's Gandhi Medical College, 36 patients remain under ophthalmology care, 15 of whom have already undergone emergency surgeries. Officials admitted lapses in pre-festive enforcement, allowing vendors to peddle the guns freely, but vowed rigorous post-Diwali raids to seize stockpiles and prosecute sellers.

Enforcement actions have been swift: in Bhopal, police filed an FIR against Mohammad Taha of Ehsan Nagar for distributing the guns, while raids uncovered and confiscated 55 units from local shops. Gwalior authorities arrested a young vendor, charging him under the Explosives Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These incidents echo a darker pattern, with at least 14 children confirmed to have lost eyesight statewide, transforming what should have been a festival of lights into one of profound loss. Health experts emphasised that early intervention could mitigate long-term damage, urging parents to monitor recovery and seek immediate medical aid for lingering symptoms like blurred vision or headaches.

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The bans signal a broader push for safety in firecracker traditions, building on national guidelines restricting high-decibel explosives to protect public health and the environment. As Madhya Pradesh grapples with this "darkest Diwali in recent years", community leaders and NGOs are calling for awareness campaigns in schools and villages to educate on safer celebrations. With inspections ongoing and legal repercussions looming, authorities hope to prevent recurrence, ensuring future festivals prioritise joy over jeopardy for the state's vulnerable young population.

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