The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has issued a directive to the streaming platform Netflix to include the real names and code names of the hijackers involved in the 1999 Indian Airlines Flight 814 hijacking in the disclaimer of its web series, ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’.
The ministry’s decision comes in response to widespread criticism over the series’ portrayal of the hijackers, which many believe glorifies their actions and undermines the sacrifices made by Indian security forces. By mandating the disclosure of the hijackers’ identities, the I&B Ministry aims to set the record straight and prevent any potential misrepresentation of historical events.
The hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 remains a significant event in India’s history. The hijackers, who belonged to the Pakistan-based militant group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, held the aircraft hostage for five days and demanded the release of three militants imprisoned in India. The incident culminated in the release of the hijackers and the hostages in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in exchange for the release of the three militants.
In response to the recent directive from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), Netflix has announced that it will comply with the requirement to include the real names and code names of the hijackers involved in the 1999 Indian Airlines Flight 814 hijacking in the disclaimer of its web series, ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’.
The streaming giant acknowledged the ministry’s concerns regarding the potential misrepresentation of historical events and stated that it is committed to ensuring that its content is accurate and responsible. Netflix has assured viewers that the necessary changes will be made to the series’ disclaimer to comply with the I&B Ministry’s mandate.
The I&B Ministry has expressed its concern that the web series may inadvertently glorify the hijackers and downplay the gravity of their actions. By requiring the disclosure of their real names and code names, the ministry hopes to ensure that viewers are fully aware of the identities of the individuals responsible for the hijacking.
The decision to mandate the inclusion of the hijackers’ identities in the disclaimer is a significant step towards ensuring historical accuracy and preventing the glorification of terrorism. It is also a clear message to streaming platforms that they must be mindful of the potential impact of their content and take steps to ensure that it is responsible and informative.
The I&B Ministry’s decision is a significant step towards ensuring that historical events are portrayed accurately and responsibly. It is a reminder that while streaming platforms offer a wealth of entertainment and information, they must also exercise caution and ensure that their content is in line with ethical and legal standards.
