The Indian government has expressed serious concerns about the Netflix web series ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.’ Officials have stated, “Nobody has the right to play with the sentiments of the people of this country. India’s culture and civilization should always be respected.” The government is closely scrutinizing the series and urging creators to portray historical events accurately.
Netflix’s Content Chief Summoned
In response to the controversy, Monika Shergill, Netflix India’s content chief, was summoned by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The series, created by Anubhav Sinha and Trishant Srivastava, depicts the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 by the Pakistan-based terror group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.
Public Backlash
Social media users have criticized the series for altering the names of the hijackers to “Bhola” and “Shankar.” The show, inspired by the book ‘Flight Into Fear: The Captain’s Story’ by Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury, features Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, and Pankaj Kapur in prominent roles.
The Hijacking Incident
On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines Flight 814, carrying 191 passengers, was hijacked shortly after departing from Kathmandu. The plane made multiple stops in Amritsar, Lahore, and Dubai before landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan. To secure the hostages’ release, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, agreed to release three terrorists: Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. The Taliban assisted the hijackers and the released terrorists in reaching Pakistan.
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Official and Passenger Accounts
According to a Union Home Ministry statement from January 6, 2000, the hijackers were identified as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, and Mistri. The statement noted that during the hijacking, the hijackers used nicknames like Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar when addressing each other.
Journalists who covered the hijacking have corroborated these nicknames, as reported by passengers at the time.
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