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The recent release of the Netflix series 'IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack' has ignited a firestorm of controversy, drawing the attention of India's Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B). The crux of the issue lies in the series' depiction of the Pakistani terrorists who hijacked the Indian Airlines flight in 1999, using Hindu names as aliases. While the series portrays these hijackers, part of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terror group, using code names like 'Shankar' and 'Bhola', the Home Ministry statement from January 2000 confirms that these were indeed the code names used by the hijackers. This revelation has sparked outrage amongst many, including BJP leaders, who perceive the use of Hindu names as a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the hijackers and potentially incite communal tensions.
The I&B Ministry, expressing concern over the potential for religious sensitivities to be inflamed, has summoned representatives from Netflix, including its content head. Although the government hasn't explicitly stated plans to ban the series, they have emphasized the need for Netflix to address the controversy and mitigate any further damage. Sources have indicated that the Ministry might also issue a summons to Anubhav Sinha, the director of the series. This move reflects the government's proactive approach in managing potential religious and political fallout from the series' content. Prominent figures like former Union Minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar have publicly criticized the series, raising questions about the accuracy of the portrayal, particularly the use of Hindu names. He highlighted that the hijackers were undeniably Pakistani terrorists, and the use of Hindu names seemed incongruous and potentially misleading.
Amit Malviya, the BJP IT Cell chief, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the hijackers had adopted aliases to conceal their Muslim identities. He argued that by using these Hindu names, the series inadvertently legitimized the terrorists' actions and risked creating a false narrative for future generations, implying that Hindus were responsible for the hijacking. The controversy has also generated reactions from opposition figures. Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while finding the outrage amusing, pointed out the hypocrisy of those who lauded the 'Kashmir Files' while taking offense to the depiction of the IC-814 hijacking. He highlighted the double standard of demanding accuracy and nuance in one film while accepting biased and potentially fabricated narratives in another. Priyanka Chaturvedi, a leader of the Shiv Sena-UBT, utilized the controversy to highlight the failures of the then BJP government in responding to the hijacking, drawing parallels to the Kargil war and highlighting the government's lack of preparedness and intelligence gathering capabilities. The ongoing debate surrounding 'IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack' underscores the delicate balance between artistic freedom and religious sensitivities in a diverse society. The I&B Ministry's intervention and the strong reactions from various political figures demonstrate the potential for even fictionalized narratives to stir intense emotions and ignite sensitive political and cultural discourse.
Source: IC-814 series row: I&B tells Netflix to keep religious sentiments in mind