The Indian government has summoned Monika Shergill, the content head of Netflix, over the controversy surrounding their recently released series "IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack". The series, loosely based on a real-life event, faced backlash for allegedly changing the names of the hijackers. The government has stated that this issue is being taken seriously and that the sentiments of the people should not be harmed in the name of entertainment. The creators of the series have been asked to be responsible and show respect towards the culture and civilization of India.
Netflix Controversy: Government Summons Netflix Content Head over 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack'
Background:
"IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack" is a Netflix series released in December 2023. The show is loosely based on the real-life hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999 by terrorists. The hijackers were Harakat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) militants, a Pakistan-based terrorist organization.
Controversy:
Shortly after its release, the series sparked controversy in India for allegedly changing the names of the hijackers. Critics claimed that this was an attempt to downplay the role of Pakistan in the hijacking. Specifically, the name of Harakat-ul-Mujahideen was changed to "Hizbul Mujahideen" and the names of the hijackers were changed from Pakistani to Indian.
Government Response:
The Indian government took the controversy seriously and summoned Monika Shergill, the content head of Netflix, to explain the changes made to the show. The government stated that "the issue is being taken seriously and the sentiments of the people should not be harmed in the name of entertainment."
Creators' Response:
The creators of the series have defended their decision to change the names, stating that they were concerned about safety issues for the actors and crew involved in the production. They also claimed that the changes did not alter the historical narrative of the event.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
Q: Why did Netflix change the names of the hijackers?
A: The creators have stated that they were concerned about safety issues for the actors and crew involved in the production.
Q: Did Netflix downplay the role of Pakistan in the hijacking?
A: The government of India believes that changing the names of the hijackers from Pakistani to Indian downplays Pakistan's involvement in the incident.
Q: What is the name of the real-life terrorist organization that hijacked IC 814?
A: Harakat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM)
Q: What was the objective of the hijacking?
A: The hijackers demanded the release of three terrorists, including Masood Azhar, the founder of HuM.
Q: How was the hijacking resolved?
A: After eight days of negotiations, the Indian government agreed to release the three terrorists in exchange for the release of the hostages and the aircraft.
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