IC 814 Hijack: Netflix Series Sparks Outrage

IC 814 Hijack: Facts Misrepresented in Netflix’s Controversial Series

Netflix’s new limited series, “IC 814 – The Kandahar Hijack,” directed by Anubhav Sinha, has stirred significant controversy for misrepresenting facts about the 1999 IC 814 hijacking incident. The series, criticized for its portrayal of events and characters, deviates from documented historical facts, raising concerns among experts, former intelligence officers, and viewers.

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ISI’s Role Downplayed

One of the major criticisms of the series is its portrayal of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI. The show suggests a limited role of ISI in the hijacking, contradicting accounts from former RAW officials and experts. AS Dulat, the head of RAW during the incident, stated, “There’s no doubt that ISI was orchestrating the operation. It wasn’t just based on our reports but also on a well-known Pakistani journalist’s observations in Kandahar.”

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Former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, G Parthasarathy, dismissed the portrayal of al-Qaida’s involvement as “ridiculous,” emphasizing that it was a Pakistani-led operation. These factual discrepancies have led to criticism that the series attempts to minimize ISI’s involvement in the hijacking.

RAW Intelligence Failure Misrepresented

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The series shows RAW’s intelligence on the potential hijacking reaching its headquarters in Delhi, a claim refuted by multiple RAW officers. According to AS Dulat, “As the head of RAW, I can guarantee that no such information reached us.” This misrepresentation of intelligence handling has been highlighted as a significant flaw in the series.

Controversial Depiction of Hijackers

Viewers and experts have also pointed out the series’ attempt to humanize the hijackers, portraying them as empathetic towards injured passengers, a depiction far from the harsh reality. The hijackers were ruthless, as recalled by Anil Sharma, the Chief Flight Attendant during the incident, who described the environment on board as tense and filled with fear.

Rupin Katyal, one of the passengers, was brutally murdered by the hijackers. Yet, the series attempts to downplay their brutality, a move criticized by many. Viewers have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction, with many canceling their Netflix subscriptions, leading to the trend #BoycottNetflix.

Religious Agenda Overlooked

The series also missed critical moments where the hijackers tried to convert hostages to Islam, a fact confirmed by passengers like Pooja Kataria. “The hijacker known as ‘Doctor’ gave speeches about converting to Islam, saying it was a better religion,” Kataria recalled. This aspect of the hijacking, central to understanding the hijackers’ motivations, is barely touched upon in the series.

Conclusion

Anubhav Sinha’s “IC 814 – The Kandahar Hijack” has faced backlash for distorting facts and misrepresenting a significant historical event. The series’ inaccuracies about ISI’s role, RAW’s intelligence, and the portrayal of hijackers highlight the delicate balance between cinematic storytelling and factual integrity. For many, the liberties taken in the series are not just cinematic but a disservice to the memory of those affected by the tragic event.

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