Netflix Adds Disclaimer to "IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack" After Outrage Over Hijackers' Portrayal. 

Netflix recently found itself in the midst of a controversy surrounding its new Indian series, "IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack", following backlash over the depiction of the hijackers involved in the real-life 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814. The series, which was released on Netflix on August 29, 2024, faced severe criticism from social media users, politicians, and members of the public for allegedly portraying the Muslim hijackers as Hindus. This led to demands for a correction, forcing Netflix to update the opening credits of the show with a new disclaimer to clarify the real identities of the hijackers.

The Backlash: A Case of Misrepresentation?

The controversy began shortly after the release of the series, when users on social media pointed out that the hijackers in the show were depicted as having Hindu names, leading many to believe that the show was falsely attributing the hijacking to Hindus. The hashtag #BoycottNetflix started trending on X (formerly Twitter), with many calling out the platform for what they saw as a deliberate attempt to distort historical facts. Critics were quick to argue that the real-life hijackers were Muslim, not Hindu, and demanded that Netflix make the necessary corrections.

The outrage was particularly pronounced among members of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Hindu nationalist groups. Amit Malviya, head of BJP’s social media unit, accused the series of "legitimising the criminal intent" of the hijackers and misleading viewers into thinking they were Hindus. He stated that such a portrayal could have long-term negative consequences, particularly in how the younger generation interprets historical events like the 1999 hijacking.

The Government’s Response

The Indian government took swift action in response to the growing controversy. On September 3, 2024, Netflix officials were summoned to India’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry to discuss the issue. While the government did not issue a formal statement, reports indicate that Netflix agreed to make changes to the series following the meeting.

Monika Shergill, Netflix India’s Vice President of Content, released a statement soon after, confirming that the platform would update the disclaimer in the series to reflect the real names and code names of the hijackers.

“For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers,” Shergill said.

The updated disclaimer is seen as an effort to clarify that the hijackers were not Hindus, as depicted by the fictionalised code names in the show. The show now features the actual code names used by the hijackers during the 1999 hijacking.

The Real Story: IC 814 Hijacking

The IC 814 hijacking was a major event in Indian history, taking place on December 24, 1999. The Indian Airlines flight, traveling from Kathmandu to New Delhi, was hijacked by five militants shortly after takeoff. The plane was forced to land in several locations, including Amritsar, Lahore, and Kandahar (in Afghanistan), as the hijackers demanded the release of three prominent militants held in Indian custody. The event culminated in the release of Masood Azhar, a militant leader who would go on to form the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a terror group responsible for various attacks in India.

The hijacking had a profound impact on India’s national security policies, and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government came under fire for its decision to negotiate with the terrorists and release the militants in exchange for the hostages. This aspect of the incident is one of the reasons the series has drawn intense scrutiny, as critics believe the show may alter how the younger generation perceives the historical event.

Political Reactions and Accusations

Apart from the issue of the hijackers’ portrayal, Subhashini Ali, a leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that the outrage from Hindu nationalist groups, or "Sanghis", was driven by a fear that younger viewers would learn about the Vajpayee government’s decision to release terrorists. She accused the BJP of attempting to distract from this historical fact, emphasizing that the truth about the Indian government’s actions during the crisis should not be hidden from the public.

Ali’s comments reflect a larger debate within India about how historical events are portrayed in media, particularly when they involve sensitive issues like terrorism, religion, and national security.

Creative Team and Heated Press Conference

The series, directed by Anubhav Sinha, features an ensemble cast including renowned actors such as Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, and Dia Mirza. While it has gained attention for its performances, the controversy over the hijackers’ depiction has overshadowed much of the discussion about the series itself.

During a recent press event, Sinha found himself in a heated exchange with a journalist who questioned the accuracy of the show’s portrayal. Initially, Sinha refused to comment on the controversy but became visibly frustrated as the journalist continued to press the issue. The tense exchange highlighted the growing sensitivity around the portrayal of historical events in Indian media.

Netflix and Content Controversies in India

This is not the first time that Netflix or other streaming platforms have faced backlash in India. Over the past few years, several web series and films on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have come under fire for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Hindu groups. Complaints have ranged from religious sensitivities to political issues, leading to demands for censorship or removal of certain content.

In this case, Netflix’s decision to update the disclaimer shows a willingness to respond to public concerns, but it also raises questions about artistic freedom and responsibility when dealing with real-life events that are still deeply sensitive for many people.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack serves as a reminder of the challenges that filmmakers and streaming platforms face when depicting historical events, especially in a country as diverse and politically charged as India. While the show has made efforts to correct the inaccuracies, it is clear that the debate over how such events should be portrayed will continue for years to come. As the younger generation consumes this content, it becomes all the more important for creators to balance creative expression with factual integrity.

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