S Jaishankar: Lately, the IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack controversy has been making headlines, stirring strong emotions and debates across social media. Netflix’s portrayal of the 1999 Kandahar hijacking has drawn criticism for allegedly altering key details, leading to a government intervention. While interacting with the Indian community in Geneva, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar touched on a variety of topics, including the controversial web series IC 814, his personal revelation on the hijacking, the world’s growing interest in India’s progress, and the importance of manufacturing in India.
EAM Jaishankar’s Personal Revelation on Hijacking
Speaking at an event in Geneva, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar disclosed that he had a close encounter with a hijacking incident in 1984, when his father was a passenger on a hijacked flight. Dr. Jaishankar, who was a young officer at the time, was part of the government team handling the crisis. He recounted the emotional turmoil he experienced, juggling his responsibilities as an official and as a concerned son.
“I haven’t watched the IC 814 series, so I can’t comment directly. But in 1984, there was a hijacking, and I was part of the team dealing with it. A few hours into the incident, I called my mother to tell her I wouldn’t be able to come home. That’s when I found out my father was actually on the hijacked plane. Fortunately, no one was harmed, but it was a surreal experience to be both working on the issue and also being part of the affected family,” he shared.
Jaishankar Highlights Global Interest in India’s Progress
During his interaction with the Indian community in Geneva, Dr. Jaishankar also touched on broader issues about India’s global standing and economic policies. Highlighting the world’s interest in India’s progress, he said, “Most of my counterparts, PMs, and Presidents are actually interested in what is happening in India… Other countries today look with deep interest, and there are lessons for the world in what we do.”
Jaishankar’s Vision for India
Addressing questions about imports from China, Jaishankar discussed the importance of strengthening India’s manufacturing sector. “There are people who say, why are we importing so much from China… Governments neglected manufacturing for decades. Now people wanted to find a fix… How can you be a major power without strong manufacturing? Life is not ‘khatakhat,’ life is hard work.”
The IC 814 Controversy
The controversy surrounding Netflix’s IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack web series began when viewers accused the show of distorting facts by giving the terrorists names associated with Hindu culture, such as ‘Shankar’ and ‘Bhola.’ This led to a social media uproar, with many netizens demanding a boycott of the platform using hashtags like #BoycottNetflix.
The outcry soon caught the attention of the Indian government, which summoned Netflix’s content head, Monika Shergill. Following a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Netflix updated the series’ disclaimer.
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