In a significant development that has raised concerns about content regulation and historical accuracy, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has summoned the head of Netflix India for questioning over the controversial documentary series, ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack.’ The series, which chronicles the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, has come under fire for its portrayal of events and its alleged inaccuracies.
The I&B Ministry has expressed its deep concern over certain episodes of the series, citing a lack of historical accuracy and the potential to cause social unrest. The ministry has alleged that the series contains misleading information and promotes a biased narrative, which could undermine the country’s national interest.
The streaming giant Netflix is facing mounting criticism over its recent web series, ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,’ which has been accused of distorting historical facts. The series, which chronicles the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, has come under fire for its depiction of the hijackers’ identities.
While the actual hijackers were identified as Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir, the series portrays the terrorists using the names ‘Bhola’ and ‘Shankar.’ This discrepancy has led to a significant backlash on social media, with many viewers accusing the show of misleading the audience and potentially undermining the gravity of the incident.
Critics argue that the use of fictional names for the hijackers could create confusion and blur the lines between fact and fiction. They contend that the series should have used the actual names of the perpetrators to ensure historical accuracy and respect for the victims of the hijacking.
The I&B Ministry, which has already summoned the content head of Netflix to address concerns about the series, is likely to intensify its scrutiny following the latest revelations. The ministry has emphasized the importance of responsible content that accurately portrays historical events without glorifying criminals or undermining the country’s interests.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Netflix will respond to the growing criticism. The streaming giant may be forced to make changes to the series or face the prospect of it being removed from its platform altogether.
The controversy over ‘IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack’ highlights the need of the hour about the content regulation between the Indian government and streaming platforms. As the digital age continues to evolve, the need for clear guidelines and regulations to govern online content becomes increasingly important.
