Kandahar flight hijackers were all Muslims. They literally disguised themselves with Hindu names Bhola and Shankar to enter the flight.
Bollywood web series is showing them exactly as Hindus Bhola and Shankar, without revealing their original identity. This is to trick viewers… pic.twitter.com/x4cGzoOLEI
— True Indology (@TrueIndology) September 1, 2024
Fast forward to today, and it appears that Bollywood is engaging in a similar kind of deceit. In a disturbing trend, a recent web series has chosen to portray these terrorists not as they were—Islamist extremists—but as Hindus, under the very names they used to mislead their victims. The series depicts these characters as Bhola and Shankar, with no revelation of their true identity as the Muslim hijackers who held 176 passengers hostage for a terrifying week.
The Bollywood Terrorist Nexus: A Deceptive Narrative
This deliberate distortion is more than just a creative choice; it is an insidious attempt to rewrite history and manipulate public perception. By presenting the terrorists as Hindus, the series plants a seed of doubt in the minds of viewers, subtly suggesting that the perpetrators of this atrocity were not who they actually were. This is not just artistic license; it’s a calculated move to blur the lines between victims and villains, a tactic that mirrors the very deception used by the terrorists themselves.
The parallel between Bollywood’s portrayal and the tactics of the terrorists is striking and deeply troubling. Just as the hijackers adopted Hindu names to carry out their mission of terror, Bollywood is now using these same names to cloak the truth, leading viewers to believe that Hindus were behind this act of terrorism. This is a dangerous game, one that not only disrespects the memory of the victims but also serves to absolve the real culprits of their crimes.
Bollywood Agenda Behind the Misrepresentation
One might wonder, why would Bollywood choose to engage in such blatant misrepresentation? The answer lies in the broader agenda of some sections of the entertainment industry—a persistent attempt to downplay the reality of Islamist terrorism while simultaneously vilifying Hindus. This is not the first time Bollywood has been accused of such bias. From glorifying extremists to portraying Hindus as oppressors, there is a pattern of narratives that seek to rewrite history and confuse the truth.
The impact of such portrayals is far-reaching. For viewers who are not well-versed in the history of the Kandahar hijacking, this web series could easily lead them to believe that Hindus, not Islamists, were the masterminds behind this terror attack. It’s a classic case of disinformation, one that aligns with the dirty tricks often employed by jihadis themselves—spread confusion, sow discord, and ultimately, divide society.
A Call for Accountability
As responsible citizens, we must hold Bollywood accountable for such egregious distortions. The entertainment industry has a powerful influence on public opinion, and with that influence comes the responsibility to present the truth, especially when dealing with sensitive historical events. By portraying the Kandahar hijackers as Hindus, this web series not only insults the intelligence of its viewers but also dishonors the memory of those who suffered at the hands of these terrorists.
In the end, one must ask: What is the difference between Bollywood and the terrorists they misrepresent? Both are using the same dirty tricks—disguise, deception, and manipulation—to achieve their goals. But while the terrorists sought to instill fear and chaos, Bollywood, through such misrepresentations, is sowing confusion and mistrust. The only way to counter this is by demanding truth and transparency, both from our entertainment industry and from the narratives they choose to promote.
Let us not allow the lines between truth and fiction to be blurred. The victims of Flight IC 814 deserve better, and so do we.
