In recent days, the Indian government has summoned the content head of Netflix India to discuss the controversial portrayal of the hijackers in the OTT series 'IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack'. The depiction of the hijackers as "humane" has sparked outrage among viewers and has led to calls for a boycott of the streaming platform. Officials have stated that no one has the right to play with the sentiments of the nation and that Indian culture should always be respected. The controversy has also raised questions about the responsibility of filmmakers when portraying real events and the potential impact on cultural values.
IC-814 Kandahar Hijack: Controversy Over Netflix Series Reignites Debate
Background:
On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines flight IC-814 was hijacked by five armed men as it flew from Kathmandu, Nepal to Delhi, India. The hijackers demanded the release of three terrorists involved in the 1994 kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, the daughter of India's then Union Home Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
After a harrowing 7-day ordeal, the hijackers were flown to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where the hostages were released in exchange for the terrorists. The incident left one passenger dead and several others injured.
Netflix Series Controversy:
In 2023, Netflix released a series titled "IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack," which depicts the events of the hijacking. However, the portrayal of the hijackers as sympathetic and even heroic has sparked widespread outrage in India.
Critics argue that the series glorifies terrorists and undermines the sacrifices made by Indian security forces during the hijacking. They have called for a boycott of Netflix and have demanded that the series be removed from the platform.
Government Response:
The Indian government has summoned Netflix India's content head to discuss the controversy. Officials have condemned the series, stating that it is not appropriate to portray terrorists as "humane" and that it could potentially harm national security.
Cultural Sensitivity Concerns:
The controversy has raised questions about the responsibility of filmmakers when portraying real events. Critics argue that the series has misrepresented Indian culture by depicting the hijackers as sympathetic characters. They believe that it is important to respect the sentiments of the victims and their families when portraying such events.
Five FAQs and Answers
Q1: Who were the hijackers of IC-814? A: The hijackers were five armed men: Ibrahim Athar, Yusuf Azhar, Bilal Ahmed, Shakir Ahmed, and Rehan.
Q2: What was the motive behind the hijacking? A: The hijackers demanded the release of three terrorists involved in the 1994 kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed.
Q3: What happened to the hostages? A: In total, 189 passengers and crew were held hostage for 7 days. One passenger was killed during the ordeal, and several others were injured.
Q4: How did the hijacking end? A: The hijackers were flown to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where the hostages were released in exchange for the three terrorists.
Q5: Why is the Netflix series about IC-814 controversial? A: Critics argue that the series portrays the hijackers as sympathetic and even heroic, which they believe is disrespectful to the victims and undermines the efforts of Indian security forces.
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