Netflix adds disclaimer to series ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’ after Centre’s summons
A controversy had erupted over the use of ‘Bhola’ and ‘Shankar’ as code names for the characters of Muslim militants featured in the show.
Join our WhatsApp Community to receive travel deals, free stays, and special offers!
- Join Now -
Join our WhatsApp Community to receive travel deals, free stays, and special offers!
- Join Now -
The opening disclaimer of the series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack has been updated to include the real and code names of Muslim militants featured in the show, streaming platform Netflix said in a statement on Tuesday.
Netflix India’s statement came after the Centre summoned its head of content in response to a controversy that erupted regarding the representation of the hijackers in the series, reported PTI.
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, the limited series was released on Netflix on August 29. The show is based on the commandeering of an Indian Airlines aircraft from Kathmandu to Delhi on December 24, 1999, by members of a Pakistan-based terror outfit. Five terrorists hijacked the plane and eventually landed it in Kandahar in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
After the series was released, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and several social media users criticised the makers for allegedly attempting to “whitewash the crimes of Pakistani terrorists”.
In January 2000, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that the terrorists had used the pseudonyms “CHIEF”, “DOCTOR”, “BURGER”, “BHOLA” and “SHANKAR” during the hijacking. Their real names were Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir.
The Hindu deity Shiva is also referred to as “Bhola” and “Shankar”.
Those protesting the show’s release have claimed that the use of Hindu names for the characters obscures...
