Why Is Netflix’s ‘IC 814’ Facing a Government Investigation? The Controversy Explained

Netflix's latest web series, IC 814, directed by Anubhav Sinha, has swiftly emerged as a subject of both widespread acclaim and significant controversy. The series, inspired by the real-life hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814 in December 1999, has captivated audiences with its portrayal of this harrowing event. However, it has also ignited a firestorm of debate, prompting intervention from the Indian government's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

On Tuesday, official sources confirmed that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had issued a summons to Netflix's content head, demanding clarification on what has been deemed contentious elements within the series. The ministry's move underscores the gravity of the controversy surrounding the portrayal of the hijacking.

Watching IC 814, Netflix Indian series about an actual hijacking in 1999. It's well-shot, acted and paced and an example of how Netflix international productions allow other countries to tell their stories. Some harrowing moments. It even has a highly principled print journalist! pic.twitter.com/WuuLVxpAlc

— Barry Link (@blinkwriter) September 1, 2024

The crux of the controversy lies in the series' depiction of the hijackers. In IC 814, the terrorists involved are referred to by code names such as Burger, Chief, Shankar, and Bhola, rather than their actual names. Critics argue that this creative choice may obscure the true identities of the perpetrators, potentially misleading viewers about the real nature of the terrorists involved. This portrayal has led to a surge in criticism and calls for a boycott of both Netflix and Bollywood.

The hijacking of Flight IC 814 remains a dark chapter in India's recent history. On that fateful day, the flight, en route from Kathmandu to New Delhi, was seized by terrorists and diverted to Kandahar, Afghanistan, after making several stops. The ensuing negotiations saw the Indian government reluctantly acceding to the terrorists' demands to ensure the safety of the passengers. One of the key demands was the release of three high-profile terrorists Maulana Masood Azhar, Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar who were imprisoned in India. These individuals have since been linked to numerous subsequent terrorist activities within the country.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has summoned Netflix's content head regarding the IC 814 web series. 📌📌 The move follows a controversy over the depiction of the plane hijackers' names. #Netflix #IC814 #AnubhavSinha pic.twitter.com/s4E4Q2KQTj

— The Quotes (@TheQuotesLive) September 2, 2024

In light of this background, the Ministry of Home Affairs' statement from January 6, 2000, names the hijackers as Ibrahim Athar from Bahawalpur, Shahid Akhtar Sayeed from Gulshan Iqbal, Karachi, Sunny Ahmed Qazi from Defence Area, Karachi, Mistry Zahoor Ibrahim from Akhtar Colony, Karachi, and Shakir from Sukkur City. The Ministry of External Affairs also notes that during the hijacking, the terrorists used code names—Chief, Doctor, Burger, Bhola, and Shankarto communicate amongst themselves.

The hijackers of IC-814 were dreaded terrorists, who acquired aliases to hide their Muslim identities. Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, legitimised their criminal intent, by furthering their non-Muslim names.Result?Decades later, people will think Hindus hijacked IC-814.Left’s…

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 1, 2024

The controversy has garnered considerable attention on social media, where posts and hashtags calling for a boycott of Netflix and Bollywood have proliferated. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP's IT cell, has criticized Sinha's decision to use non-Muslim aliases for the hijackers. On the social media platform X, Malviya contends that this portrayal could obscure the true identities of the terrorists, potentially misleading future generations into believing that Hindus were responsible for the hijacking.

- PTC PUNJABI