Meera Bhardwaj:
Drone Prathap’s claims of blasting Sodium metal in a lake (displayed on social media) is explosive and shocking if his claims are really true? This act is not only illegal but also harmful to the lake ecology and environment.
N M Prathap has claimed on YouTube of using sodium metal to create a blast or extreme reaction in a water body at Madhugiri taluk in Tumakuru district of Karnataka.
Is Sodium an explosive material? Of course, yes when it comes in contact with water. Sodium is flammable solid which will ignite spontaneously and reacts violently with water or steam to produce flammable and explosive hydrogen gas.
As per section 13 of the Indian Explosives Act, there is power to arrest without warrant people committing dangerous acts like this. Two days back, Prathap who sustained burns while doing his so-called experiment in a lake said this was a science video and he was doing it for educational purpose and had taken all precautions.
He actually demonstrates how to carry out an explosion using sodium metal in a lake at his native place at Netkal. In fact, Prathap explains in detail before throwing the volatile material in the lake. He has further claimed that there is no harm to fishes or any other animals despite burning his hands.
Decrying this act, both environmentalists and forensic experts say, “Usage of Sodium metal is completely illegal as it is an explosive material. Further, demonstrating the process of how to explode it and encouraging people is shocking and it is an anti-national activity. Anybody can learn through this video on YouTube how to use this volatile material for anti-national activities.”
Dr H S Prayag, wildlife forensic expert said, “The concerned departments should act immediately and deal with such people as per law of the land. Any illegal activities should be dealt strictly without delay as he has been doing it since Covid times – claiming to be a scientist and fooling people around and influential people as well.”
Apart from this, such an act is totally illegal and will harm the lake ecosystem, said Vijay Nishant, Urban conservationist & member, Biodiversity Management Committee, BBMP. “It will not only cause pollution but also the fumes are hazardous to nature and its micro-organisms. How can this guy claim that it is not harmful to fishes or other animals when he has no knowledge about water resources and the gradual seepage of chemicals into the soil. How can some media house glorify such illegal acts? The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board seems to be silent with no action from them.”
26-year-old Prathap who has been involved in many controversies since the last few years had claimed to have developed drones from old mixie and TV parts. He claimed on the social media that he had done such an experimentation due to curiosity and for educating the public without realizing the serious consequences of using a hazardous and explosive material like Sodium metal.
POLICE ACTION
Meanwhile, Karnataka Police assuring of strict action against the incident that happened in Madhugiri taluk got the video deleted on social media as it would encourage others to carry out such acts which is both dangerous and illegal. On Thursday, Prathap was held by Tumakuru police and investigations are going on.