IC 814 Row Explained: Why the Netflix Series is Sparking Outrage in the Nation

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SEPTEMBER 03,2024

Netflix's new series, "IC 814," based on the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, has stirred up controversy due to its portrayal of the hijackers. Critics have accused the makers of "whitewashing" the religion of the five Pakistani hijackers by using Hindu codenames instead of their actual names.

IC 814 Row Explained

The series refers to the hijackers as "Chief," "Doctor," "Burger," "Bhola," and "Shankar." This decision has sparked outrage on social media, with many criticising the show's director, Anubhav Sinha, for not highlighting the fact that the hijackers were Muslim terrorists. Critics argue that the use of Hindu aliases undermines the seriousness of the crime and could potentially mislead viewers.

The series has faced heavy criticism over the names and depictions of the five terrorists who were involved in the eight-day hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight. The flight was diverted to multiple locations before ending up in Taliban-controlled Kandahar in Afghanistan. Reports suggest that Netflix India's content chief, Monika Shergill, was also summoned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to explain the allegedly contentious aspects of the web series.

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PIL Filed in Delhi HC to Ban Public Viewing of IC 814

In response to the controversy, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a ban on the public viewing of the IC 814 series. The petition was filed by Surjit Singh Yadav, a farmer and president of Hindu Sena. The petition alleges that the series erroneously portrays the real hijackers as having Hindu names. It also claims that the use of the names of Lord Shiva hurts the sentiments of the Hindu community.

The petitioner sought a direction to the Centre and Maharashtra government to cancel the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certificate for the series. The petition states, "The distortion of crucial facts about the real identities of the hijackers not only misrepresents historical events but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misinformation, warranting interference of this court to prevent further public misunderstanding and potential harm."

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More About the IC 814 Series

"IC 814" dramatises the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 by Pakistan-based Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. The series was released on Netflix India on August 29. It is adapted from the book "Flight into Fear: The Captain's Story," written by journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury and Devi Sharan, the captain of the hijacked flight. The series stars Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Manoj Pahwa, Arvind Swami, Anupam Tripathi, Dia Mirza, Patralekhaa, Amrita Puri, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, and Kumud Mishra in key roles.

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