Controversy Surrounds Netflix Series on 1999 Indian Plane Hijacking
A recent Netflix series about the 1999 hijacking of an Indian passenger
plane has sparked significant controversy in India due to its portrayal of
certain characters. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack
revisits the dramatic events surrounding the hijacking of a Kathmandu-Delhi
flight, which was diverted to Taliban-controlled Kandahar in exchange for the
release of militants imprisoned in India.
The uproar, ignited by social media viewers, primarily centers on the names
used by the hijackers in the series. Reports indicate that Netflix was summoned
by the Indian government to address these concerns. The eight-day ordeal ended
with the Indian government negotiating the release of three militants,
including Masood Azhar, in exchange for the safety of the passengers. Azhar,
who later founded the militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad, has been accused of
orchestrating multiple attacks in India and is designated as a terrorist by the
United Nations.
The decision to release Azhar and the other militants remains a contentious
issue in India, with frequent criticism directed at the ruling Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP), which was also in power at the time of the incident.
The Controversy Explained
The six-part mini-series is based on Flight Into Fear: The Captain's
Story, a book by Devi Sharan, the pilot of the hijacked plane, and
journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury. The series, released last week, begins with the
hijackers boarding the flight at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
Shortly after takeoff, the militants announce the hijacking of the flight,
which carried 179 passengers, including the hijackers and crew members.
The show delves into the interactions between the hijackers, the passengers,
and the Indian government officials working to resolve the crisis. The
controversy erupted when some social media users criticized the series for
depicting the hijackers using common Hindu names such as Bhola and Shankar,
instead of their actual names: Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed
Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir, all of whom were from Pakistan.
BJP leader Amit Malviya expressed concern on X (formerly Twitter), arguing
that by using these "non-Muslim" aliases, the filmmakers risk
misleading viewers into believing that Hindus were responsible for hijacking
IC-814. In response, a Hindu right-wing organization filed a legal case in a
Delhi court, seeking to ban the series. The petition accuses the filmmakers of
distorting historical facts and misrepresenting crucial events.
Several Indian media outlets have reported that the federal government held
discussions with a senior Netflix executive regarding the issue. However,
Netflix and India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting have not yet
responded to requests for comment.
What Are the Facts?
Despite the controversy, many have defended the series, asserting that it is
factually accurate. A statement released by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs in
2000 confirms that the hijackers did indeed use such aliases to communicate
both inside and outside the aircraft.
“To the passengers on the hijacked plane, these hijackers became known
respectively as (1) Chief, (2) Doctor, (3) Burger, (4) Bhola, and (5) Shankar,
the names by which the hijackers invariably addressed one another,” the
statement read.
Witnesses and journalists who covered the incident have corroborated this
information. Kollattu Ravikumar, a survivor of the hijacking and former
merchant navy captain, confirmed the use of these aliases in an article on
Rediff’s news portal in 2000.
“The four hijackers who were watching over us had a leader called Burger. It
was Burger who often shouted. As Burger called them, I caught the names of the
others - Bola, Shankar, and Doctor,” Ravikumar recounted.
This incident is not the first time that international streaming platforms
have faced backlash over their content in India. Earlier this year, Netflix
removed a Tamil-language film following objections from hardline Hindu
organizations. In 2021, the cast and crew of the Amazon Prime show Tandav
issued an apology after being accused of mocking Hindu gods.
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