Controversy Erupts Over Netflix’s ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’ for Portrayal of 1999 Hijackers

New Delhi, India, Sep 3: A new web series titled *’IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’* has sparked controversy in India over its portrayal of the hijackers. Directed by Anubhav Sinha and available on Netflix, the series recounts the 1999 hijacking of an Indian passenger jet. The plane, flying from Kathmandu to Delhi, was diverted to Taliban-controlled Kandahar. The kidnappers demanded the release of militants held in India.

After eight days of negotiations, the Indian government agreed to release three militants, including Masood Azhar, in exchange for the safety of the passengers. Masood Azhar later founded the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed, responsible for several attacks in India, and is recognized as a terrorist by the United Nations.

The decision to release these militants remains a controversial topic in India, with criticism often directed at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was in power at the time.

The controversy around the series centers on the portrayal of the hijackers. The six-episode mini-series is based on the book *Flight Into Fear: The Captain’s Story* by Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chaudhuri. The series depicts the hijackers using common Hindu names like Bhola and Shankar, which has drawn criticism from some social media users who argue that this misleads viewers into thinking Hindus were involved in the hijacking.

BJP leader Amit Malviya criticized the series, accusing the filmmakers of deliberately using “non-Muslim” names to mislead viewers. A right-wing Hindu organization has even filed a case in a Delhi court, seeking to ban the series for distorting historical facts.

In response, some Indian media outlets reported that the federal government had met with a top Netflix official to discuss the issue. However, neither Netflix nor India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has commented on the matter.

Supporters of the series argue that it is accurate. In 2000, a statement from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that the hijackers did use pseudonyms like Bhola and Shankar during the crisis. This was corroborated by survivors and journalists who covered the incident.

Kolatu Ravikumar, a survivor of the hijacking, confirmed the use of these aliases in a 2000 article on the Rediff news portal.

This is not the first time international streaming platforms have faced backlash in India. In January, Netflix removed a Tamil-language film after objections from hardline Hindu groups, and in 2021, Amazon Prime’s *Tandav* also faced controversy, with the cast and crew apologizing for allegedly mocking Hindu deities.