Anubhav Sinha’s latest series, IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, has stirred up a significant controversy, leading to the filing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Delhi High Court. The series, which has been praised for its gripping narrative about the 1999 Kandahar hijacking, has also drawn criticism for allegedly distorting historical facts and hurting religious sentiments.
The Controversial Depiction
The series chronicles the harrowing events of the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC814, where several passengers lost their lives. While the series has been lauded for its intense storytelling, it has also faced backlash for the portrayal of the terrorists involved in the incident. The controversy centers around the decision to rename the hijackers ‘Bhola’ and ‘Shankar’—names traditionally associated with Lord Shiva—despite the fact that the real hijackers were Muslims.
Critics argue that this renaming distorts the truth and misrepresents the historical events. By attributing Hindu names to characters based on Muslim terrorists, the series is accused of not only altering facts but also hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus. The use of such names has sparked outrage among various groups, who believe that this misrepresentation could lead to public misunderstanding and misinformation.
PIL Filed in Delhi High Court
The issue escalated when Surjeet Singh Yadav, a farmer and the president of the Hindu Sena, filed a PIL in the Delhi High Court, demanding a ban on the series. The petition argues that changing the terrorists’ names to those of Hindu deities creates a false narrative and promotes misleading information. Yadav contends that this misrepresentation could have serious implications, potentially altering public perception of the actual events and weakening the historical accuracy of the incident.
The PIL emphasizes that the court’s intervention is necessary to prevent any further misunderstanding among the public and to safeguard the integrity of the historical record. The petition also highlights the potential harm caused by the series in terms of communal harmony and the accurate portrayal of history.
Political Reactions and Public Outcry
The controversy has also drawn the attention of political figures. Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP’s IT cell, voiced his strong opposition to the series on social media. Malviya criticized Anubhav Sinha for giving the terrorists non-Muslim names, arguing that it undermines the reality of the hijacking and plays into a leftist agenda. He expressed concern that future generations might be misled into believing that Hindus were responsible for the hijacking, rather than the Muslim terrorists who were actually involved.
Malviya further argued that this portrayal could weaken India’s security narrative and shift blame away from those truly responsible for the incident. His comments have fueled the ongoing debate, with many agreeing that cinema’s power to shape public opinion must be wielded responsibly.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the future of IC814: The Kandahar Hijack remains uncertain, with the Delhi High Court yet to make a ruling on the PIL. The debate highlights the delicate balance between creative expression and the need for historical accuracy, particularly when dealing with sensitive subjects.
