PIL Against Netflix's 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' Withdrawn After Disclaimer Update

The PIL against Netflix's series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,' alleging distortion of terrorist identities, has been withdrawn after Netflix added a disclaimer. The petitioner, led by Hindu Sena Chief Surjit Singh Yadav, argued the misrepresentation offended Hindu sentiments. Netflix pledges future content will be sensitive to national sentiments.

The PIL seeking a ban on Netflix's series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack' has been withdrawn from the Delhi High Court. The petitioner, through counsel, stated that Netflix's addition of a disclaimer clarifies the real names of the terrorists involved in the hijacking, addressing concerns raised in the PIL.

Surjit Singh Yadav, Chief of Hindu Sena, recently moved the PIL to ban the series, alleging it distorts the identities of the terrorists from the 1999 hijacking of Indian Flight 814 by assigning them Hindu names such as 'Bhola' and 'Shankar,' which are associated with Lord Shiva.

The petition argued this misrepresentation offends the sentiments of the Hindu community and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. It invoked India's Constitution, which mandates mutual respect for all religions, and the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which regulates films to uphold these principles. Netflix has pledged to review and update the series disclaimer and ensure future content is more sensitive to national sentiments.

(With inputs from agencies.)