Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah's statement about fearing a rise of Islamophobia during the 1999 IC 814 Kandahar hijack has caused a heated exchange between the BJP and Shiv Sena parties. While the Shiv Sena criticized Shah for his divisive statements, the BJP emphasized the importance of portraying unbiased facts in cinema and condemned terrorist acts regardless of religion. This incident highlights the ongoing tension in Indian politics surrounding issues of religion and terrorism.
In an interview, Bollywood legend Naseeruddin Shah revealed his thoughts on portraying a key role in the Netflix series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. He expressed his deep concerns about the aftermath of the real-life hijacking, and how it might have led to increased islamophobia. Shah also shared his lingering uneasiness about the resolution of the crisis and how it might have affected the passengers and pilot.
During a panel discussion hosted by border abolition project Give Over, journalist and researcher Maryam Jameela shed light on the role of Western media in perpetuating white supremacy and Islamophobia through their "pointed silence" on Israel's brutal targeting and murder of Palestinians in Gaza. The complicity of Western journalists in this violence was exposed, highlighting how their solidarity is conditional and their focus on Western lives and bodies perpetuates structures of power. Jameela raised important questions about the purpose of journalism if marginalized lives are continually neglected by the media.