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The Netflix series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' has come under fire for its portrayal of the real-life hijacking incident, with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Delhi High Court alleging that the series distorted the identities of the hijackers. The plea, filed by a concerned citizen, argues that the show misrepresented the names and religious backgrounds of the individuals involved in the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight to Kandahar, Afghanistan.
The PIL claims that the real hijackers were Muslims with names like Ibrahim Akhtar, Shahid Akhtar Sayeed, Sunny Ahmad Qazi, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir. However, the Netflix series depicts the hijackers as “Bhola” and “Shankar,” names that are closely associated with Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology. This deliberate alteration of the hijackers' identities, according to the petition, not only distorts historical facts but also deeply offends the Hindu community by associating their revered deity with the act of hijacking. The plea contends that using these names for the hijackers constitutes an insult to the Hindu religion and its followers.
The PIL also criticizes the series for downplaying the long-term consequences of the hijacking, particularly the release of terrorists in exchange for the passengers' freedom. The petition argues that the series' portrayal minimizes the severity of the real-life events and their lasting impact. By concealing the actual identities of the hijackers and substituting them with Hindu-related names, the series is accused of deliberately misrepresenting history and contributing to misinformation. The PIL urges the court to take action against Netflix and the series' creators for the alleged distortions and the potential harm caused to religious sentiments.
Source: Netflix series IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack distorts identities of hijackers: PIL in Delhi High Court