The release of a new Netflix series has sparked significant controversy in India, sparking debate over historical accuracy and cultural representation. Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack dramatizes the horrific events of the hijacking of an Indian passenger plane in 1999. Based on the book Flight Into Fear: The Captain’s Story by Devi Sharan and Shrinjoy Chowdhury, the show chronicles the eight days of agony during which the Kathmandu-Delhi flight was seized by terrorists and taken to Taliban-controlled Kandahar.
Events of 1999
The real-life hijacking incident involved IC 814, a Kathmandu to Delhi flight that was taken over by a group of terrorists shortly after takeoff. The hijackers demanded the release of several individuals imprisoned in India, including Masood Azhar. The Indian government eventually accepted their demands and released three terrorists in exchange for the safe return of the passengers. Azhar later founded the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed, which has been linked to several attacks in India and is designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations.
The decision to release Azhar and the others remains highly controversial in India, with political debate continuing over the consequences of the decision. The controversy surrounding the hijacking is now being revisited through this new Netflix series, but it has been met with much debate and criticism.
Controversy surfaces
Upon its release, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack soon became the centre of controversy. The six-episode series depicts the events of the hijacking, focusing on the interactions between the hijackers, passengers and crew, as well as tense negotiations with the Indian government. However, the series has faced criticism over its portrayal of the hijackers.
Critics on social media have objected to how the series depicts the hijackers, using names such as Bhola and Shankar. According to some critics, these names are common Hindu names and do not reflect the real names of the hijackers, who were identified as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Saeed, Sunny Ahmad Qazi, Mistry Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir. All the hijackers were Pakistani nationals.
BJP leader Amit Malviya expressed his concern on X (formerly Twitter), arguing that the use of these names in the series could lead viewers to mistakenly believe that the hijackers were Hindus. This sentiment was also reiterated by a right-wing Hindu organisation, which has filed a case in a Delhi court seeking a ban on the series. The petition claims that the filmmakers have distorted important facts and misrepresented historical events.
Government response and public reaction
The controversy has not gone unnoticed by Indian authorities. Reports suggest that the federal government held a meeting with a senior Netflix official to address the concerns raised. However, both Netflix and India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting have yet to publicly comment on the issue.
In defense of the series, many have cited historical records and evidence that confirm the use of these nicknames. A statement from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs in 2000 confirms that during the hijacking, the terrorists knew the passengers by names such as Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankar. This information is consistent with the portrayal in the series.
Witnesses and journalists covering the event have also supported the accuracy of these names. Kolattu Ravikumar, a survivor of the hijacking, confirmed in a 2000 article that the hijackers used names such as Bola, Shankar, and Doctor, giving further legitimacy to the series’ portrayal.
Historical context and cultural sensitivity
The debate over the Netflix series highlights broader issues of historical representation and cultural sensitivity. While the filmmakers have stated that the series is based on factual details, the controversy raises important questions about the portrayal of historical events and the potential impact of such portrayals on public perception.
Protests against international streaming platforms over content in India are not unprecedented. Earlier this year, Netflix removed a Tamil language film after objections from radical Hindu groups over several scenes. In 2021, an Amazon Prime show faced criticism after allegations of mocking Hindu gods and its cast and crew apologised.
The way forward
As the debate over IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack continues, it serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in depicting real-life events in the media. The challenge lies in balancing creative interpretation with historical accuracy while keeping in mind the sensibilities of diverse audiences.
For both viewers and critics, this series offers a look at an important historical event, but it also underlines the need to pay attention to how such depictions are received by different communities. As the discussion progresses, it will become clear how this is happening.