Indian audience showed huge outrage over an episode of the TV show Quantico. Not only the makers but Priyanka Chopra who is doing the lead role was also dragged in the controversy. This particular episode showed that Indian nationals have hired a team who posed as Muslims to build a nuclear bomb and blow up Manhattan in the USA. However, the plan is foiled and it’s revealed that it had been a plan by India to frame Pakistan.
The plot was first pointed out by a Twitter user and it faced a huge outrage. ABC Studios, the network behind the show, issued a formal apology after the incident.
‘ABC Studios and the executive producers of Quantico would like to extend an apology to our audience who were offended by the most recent episode, The Blood of Romeo. The episode has stirred a lot of emotion, much of which is unfairly aimed at Priyanka Chopra, who didn’t create the show, nor does she write or direct it. She has no involvement in the casting of the show or the storylines depicted in the series. Quantico is a work of fiction. The show has featured antagonists of many different ethnicities and backgrounds, but in this case, we inadvertently and regrettably stepped into a complex political issue. It was certainly not our intention to offend anyone.’
Priyanka Chopra kept her mum regarding the entire issue despite the fact that she is criticized too. However, the Bangladeshi-American writer Sharbari Ahmed shared her displeasure about the network issuing a formal apology. She was a writer in first season of Quantico.
She spoke out saying that network shouldn’t have apologized. Sharbari further added that no one has ever said sorry for showing Muslims as terrorists. Here’s what she tweeted:
Why did you apologize @QuanticoTV @ABCNetwork ??for what? The bullies have won! Have you ever issued an apology for showing Muslims as terrorists? No never! So disappointed.
— Sharbari Ahmed (@sharbarizohra) June 8, 2018
My interview. However, I only wrote for season one and I did not create the Muslim twins, show runner Joshua Safran did! And I was on the team , but didn’t spend any time with @priyankachopra . Someday hopefully! https://t.co/ETtNzw2Swf
— Sharbari Ahmed (@sharbarizohra) June 7, 2018
Following which the desi twitter users used their special skill to teach lessons of ‘nationalism’ and ‘Hinduism’ to this former Quantico writer. It won’t be wrong to say that they roasted her brutally. Here are some of the tweets:
I know you didn’t write the episode but the ignorant writers who did should have done their research properly before writing such a stupid storyline. I have never heard of ‘Hindu terrorism’ being spread around the world because there isn’t any. We won’t take any insults anymore.
— krishna yadav (@krIshNDIA) June 8, 2018
There has never been a Hindu terrorist organisation.Go through your own history only till 1971 you will find thanks to Hindus Bangladesh is free.Terrorism is a product of your ilk.Where ever you go be it Europe, Americas,Russia of course Bharat you find ways to show your colours.
— Manish K (@ManishK33616015) June 8, 2018
Has any US show ever shown how America teamed up with Radical Islamists and created Taliban to break up the Soviet Union so that it could keep its grip over Asia? Isn’t this Nationalism being used to hide the wrong done by America in the past
— Anmol Srivastava (@AnmolSri4pc) June 7, 2018
@sharbarizohra after reducing Hindu populations (“genocide”) in both Bangladesh and Pakistan, writers have the audacity to show Indian nationalists as terrorists in the US! This is not criticism but perception creation backed by hateful agenda against India! #Quantico
— Rahul (@rahulrind) June 8, 2018
You said ” no one had a problem when there were Muslim terrorists on season one”. Yes madam, that’s coz there are no such thing such as “Hindu terrorists”. Even a fictitious story based on real world depends on things we can relate. As a writer, you should know that.
— Ad Astra (@AIrishHilltop) June 7, 2018
When did Nationalism become a bad thing? Isn’t America acting nationalist as it has demonized Russia in mainstream media and there is hardly an Russian representation.Will u guys make a show on David Headly ,an FBI double agent who was behind 26/11 Mumbai attacks?
— Anmol Srivastava (@AnmolSri4pc) June 7, 2018
Agreed that Hindu nationalists can not be exempt from criticism but think about it how can any other community be engaged in terrorism when only Muslims have its copyright sanctioned in Quran.
Why muslims (you included) always claim conspiracy for acts of Qur’anic terrorism??— RAJESH BAGRI 🇮🇳 (@UnsubtleSanghi) June 7, 2018
Why should we face criticism if there is not a single terrorist outfit from India and especially Hindus. Its your country where Bin Laden was found. Its your country where Lashkar E taiba exist and it’s where Hafiz saeed resides. So look into your own terrorists country.
— prathamesh.trivedi (@pratham120) June 7, 2018
She has also called out the deep-rooted biases of the Indian audience. This is what she said:
‘Hindu nationalists are not exempt from criticism. Of course, no one had a problem when there were Muslim terrorists on season one! The nationalist groups — be it Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist — take things too personally. The world we are living in is a bit scary.’
Do you agree with her or the Twitterati?
