Controversy Surrounding Netflix's 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack'

"IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack" is based on the real events of the 1999 Indian Airlines Flight 814 hijacking. The series dramatizes the hijacking by the Pakistan-based terror group Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, but not without criticism

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The docuseries uses aliases like 'Bhola' and 'Shankar' for the terrorists, a decision that has sparked controversy. Critics argue that these names obscure the terrorists' true identities, leading to public outrage

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BJP leader Amit Malviya criticized the series, claiming it legitimizes the hijackers' criminal intent by using non-Muslim names. He expressed concerns that future generations might be misled about the perpetrators' identities'

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Social media users joined the criticism, with hashtags like #BoycottNetflix and #IC814 trending. Many accused the series of altering historical facts to protect certain communities, fueling widespread dissatisfaction

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The backlash reached the government, prompting the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to summon a Netflix content head. This move reflects the seriousness of the controversy surrounding the docuseries

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Indian Airlines Flight 814 was hijacked on December 24, 1999, by five masked men. The hijacking led to a tense standoff, with the release of three Pakistani terrorists in exchange for the hostages, a decision that remains controversial

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