- Netflix Apologizes and Adds Disclaimers to Indian Series Accused of Misportraying Muslim Hijackers
Netflix has faced backlash over its recent series, IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack, which reportedly showed Muslim hijackers being portrayed as Hindus. In response to the outrage, the streaming platform has apologized and announced that it will add new disclaimers to the series.
The series, which is a fictionalized version of the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814, was released on Netflix last week. However, social media users and members of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the show, saying it misrepresented the hijackers and presented them in a positive light. Amit Malviya, who heads the BJP’s social media unit, accused the series of “legitimizing the criminal intent” of the hijackers and misleading audiences into thinking that Hindus hijacked the plane.
Netflix officials were summoned to India’s information and broadcasting ministry on Tuesday, and the streaming platform soon announced that it would update the disclaimer. According to Monika Shergill, Vice President of Content at Netflix India, the disclaimer will now include the real and code names of the hijackers. This decision comes as a result of growing pressure from Indian authorities and public outcry.
India’s stance on the hijacking:
India blames Pakistan and Pakistan-based militant groups for the December 1999 hijack, which was resolved after New Delhi freed three Islamist militants, including Masood Azhar, the head of one such group. The series, which features actors Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Varma, and Pankaj Kapur, is based on the book “Flight into Fear,” written by the captain of the flight Devi Sharan and journalist Srinjoy Chowdhury.
Consequences for Netflix:
This incident marks the latest in a string of controversies involving Netflix and its content. The streaming platform has faced criticism in the past from Hindu groups, who claim that its content hurts the sentiments of the country’s majority religious population. Netflix, along with other streamers like Amazon’s Prime Video, has been at the receiving end of complaints and public outcry.
The addition of new disclaimers to the series marks a significant step by Netflix to address the concerns and outrage surrounding the show. The controversy serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural sensitivity and accuracy in storytelling, particularly when depicting sensitive and divisive topics like religious extremism and political tension.
