“IC 814 Kandahar Hijacking: Netflix Series Sparks Controversy” A Netflix web series about the 1999 hijacking of an Indian passenger plane has ignited controversy in India due to its portrayal of certain characters.
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack” dramatizes the events of the hijacking of a Kathmandu-Delhi flight, which was diverted to Taliban-controlled Kandahar to demand the release of militants imprisoned in India.
The controversy, fueled by social media reactions, primarily revolves around the depiction of the hijackers’ names in the series. In response to the backlash, reports indicate that the federal government summoned Netflix to address the issue. Additionally, Netflix has modified the disclaimer at the beginning of the show.
The hijack, which lasted eight days, concluded with a negotiation between the Indian government and the hijackers, resulting in India agreeing to release three militants, including Masood Azhar, in exchange for the safe return of the passengers. Azhar, who later founded the Jaish-e-Mohammad group and was designated as a terrorist by the United Nations, is blamed by India for numerous attacks within the country.
The decision to release Azhar and the other militants remains a point of contention in India, with frequent criticism directed at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was also in power in 1999.
What is the controversy?
Netflix Series on 1999 Plane Hijacking Sparks Controversy Over Character Portrayals
The six-episode mini-series, “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,” is based on Flight Into Fear: The Captain’s Story by Devi Sharan and journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury, who was the captain of the hijacked plane. Released last week on Netflix, the series begins with the hijackers boarding the flight at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
Shortly after takeoff, the militants, who were aboard with 179 passengers and 11 crew members, announce that the flight has been hijacked. The series depicts the interactions among the hijackers, crew, and passengers, and shows the efforts of Indian government officials to resolve the crisis.
The controversy erupted when social media users criticized the series for using common Hindu names such as Bhola and Shankar for the hijackers, although their real names were Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir, all of whom were Pakistani. BJP leader Amit Malviya accused the filmmakers of misrepresenting the hijackers’ identities, suggesting it implied that Hindus were behind the hijacking.
A Hindu right-wing organization has filed a lawsuit in a Delhi court, seeking to ban the series. The petition claims the film distorts historical facts and misrepresents the events. Reports indicate that the federal government has met with a senior Netflix executive to discuss the issue.
Netflix and India’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry have yet to comment on the matter. In response to the controversy, Netflix has updated the series’ disclaimer to include both the real and code names of the hijackers for clarity.
Defenders of the series argue that it remains factually accurate. A statement from India’s home ministry in 2000 confirms that the hijackers used aliases like Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar to communicate. Witnesses, including Kollattu Ravikumar, a survivor of the hijacking, have supported this account.
This incident is not unique; international streaming platforms have faced backlash in India before. For example, Netflix removed a Tamil-language film in January after objections from Hindu groups, and in 2021, Amazon Prime’s Tandav faced criticism and an apology for allegedly offending Hindu sentiments.
