Netflix Series on IC-814 Hijack Spurs Controversy; Content Head Summoned

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has summoned Netflix over the depiction of hijackers in the series 'IC-814 - The Kandahar Hijack'. The row was triggered due to the portrayal of terrorists with Hindu names. The series stars prominent actors and recounts the real-life 1999 hijacking incident.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a summons to Netflix's content head regarding the series 'IC-814 - The Kandahar Hijack'. The series has sparked controversy on social media over the depiction of the hijackers, who are given Hindu names.

The six-episode series is based on real events from December 24, 1999, when flight IC-814 was hijacked by terrorists. The incident lasted seven days and ended with the Indian government agreeing to release three militants in exchange for the hostages. BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed his concerns over the depiction, which he argues misrepresents historical facts.

BJP's IT cell chief Amit Malviya also criticized the series for allegedly legitimizing the hijackers' criminal intent by giving them non-Muslim names. Malviya warned that this narrative could undermine India's security apparatus and misconstrue the identities of those responsible for the hijacking.

(With inputs from agencies.)