The head of Netflix India, Monika Shergill, has been called by the government due to a controversy over the web series 'IC 814 - The Kandahar Hijack'.

Controversy Details

The web series is about the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814 by a Pakistan-based terror group. The series changed the names of the hijackers to "Bhola" and "Shankar," which has upset many people on social media. They believe the names were altered to mislead viewers.

Background of the Hijacking

On December 24, 1999, Indian Airlines flight 814, carrying 191 people, was hijacked shortly after taking off from Kathmandu, Nepal. The hijackers, disguised as passengers, took control of the plane. It was forced to land in multiple locations before being taken to Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Government Actions

To free the hostages, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, released three terrorists from prison. These terrorists were Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar. The Taliban helped the hijackers and the terrorists travel to Pakistan.

Official Statement

The Union Home Ministry said the hijackers' real names were Ibrahim Athar, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, and Shakir. The names "Bhola" and "Shankar" were used by the hijackers themselves during the hijacking, according to the statement.

Public Reaction

Journalists from 1999 and BJP leader Amit Malviya have criticized the series for using these names. Malviya argued that the filmmakers are misleading people about the terrorists' identities and motives.