Distorts Facts By Assigning Hijackers Names Like 'Bhola' And 'Shankar': PIL In Delhi HC By Hindu Sena Chief Seeking Ban On Netflix Series 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack'

A Writ Petition in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Delhi High Court seeking a ban on Netflix series "IC-814, The Kanadhar Hijack" for distortion of actual identities of terrorists.

The PIL, which has been filed by 60-year-old farmer Surjit Singh Yadav, who also heads an organization named 'Hindu Sena' calls for the revocation of the series' certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Yadav's petition argues that the series misrepresents the identities of the terrorists involved in the 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC 814.

According to the plea, the real hijackers, who were Muslims, had names such as Ibrahim Akhtar, Shahid Akhtar Sayeed, Sunny Ahmad Qazi, Zahoor Mistry, and Shakir. However, the Netflix series allegedly distorts these facts by assigning the hijackers names like "Bhola" and "Shankar," which are associated with Lord Shiva in Hinduism.

The petition filed through Advocate Shashi Ranjan Singh claims that the series distorts the true identities of the hijackers, misleading the public by presenting them with Hindu names. "The distortion of crucial facts about the real identities of the hijackers not only misrepresents historical events but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and misinformation, warranting interference of this court to prevent further public misunderstanding and potential harm," the petition reads.

The Petitioner claims that this portrayal is a significant distortion of the actual events and an insult to the Hindu community. It argues that the use of sacred Hindu names for terrorists not only spreads misinformation but also hurts religious sentiments.

The PIL further criticizes the series for failing to acknowledge the long-term impact of the terrorists who were released as part of the negotiations during the hijacking. According to Yadav, this omission diminishes the severity of the real-life incident and misleads viewers about the true nature of the events.

"That the series further doesn't acknowledge the long-term impact of the terrorists released during the hijacking, diminishing the severity of the real-life events. That the concealing the real identities of the terrorists and using the names like Bhola and Shankar for them is an absolute distortion from the real facts and incidents and insult to Hindu Community as the names Bhola and Shankar are the other names of Lord Shiva," the PIL reads.

According to news reports, the Netflix Content Head has been summoned today by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting over the 'IC814' web series content row.

Cause Title: Surjit Singh Yadav v. Union of India & Ors.