US television studio ABC has apologised to Indian fans of its crime drama Quantico after an episode featuring Indian nationalists trying to frame Pakistan in a terrorist plot sparked online outrage against Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra, who plays a lead role in the show.
“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,” said Walt Disney-owned ABC in its statement.
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: ABC Network's apology for Hindu terror plot in Quantico pic.twitter.com/Artb8aP1f0
— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2018
After the recent Quantico episode, Chopra has faced online attacks and even some calls to boycott her work and the brands that she endorses, including South Korean giant Samsung Electronics Co.
Others called on the government to black out the scene where Chopra, who stars as an FBI agent in the series, holds up sacred Hindu prayer beads as evidence that the plotter in the episode, planning to detonate a nuclear bomb in New York, was an Indian nationalist.
“The myth of Hindu terror, by a fake story, enters American television with the help of Priyanka Chopra. Would any Pakistani actress betray Pakistan or Islam the way she betrays India and Hinduism?”, David Frawley, a Hindu scholar based in the United States, tweeted.
Glad to know my comments on the misleading Hindu Terror show on
— Dr David Frawley (@davidfrawleyved) June 8, 2018
Quantico helped bring about an apology from ABC. No justification for such politically distorted programs against Hinduism, only provokes anti-Hindu prejudices.https://t.co/OxSgKobYXQ
ABC, in its statement, said Chopra has no involvement in the storylines depicted in the series. “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,” ABC said in a statement on Friday.
While Priyanka has kept mum about the whole issue, Bangladeshi-American writer Sharbari Ahmed -- who worked on the first season of the show -- has said that she is appalled by the reactions of Indian tweeters.
Bullies win. Mob violence rules. I’m Muslim so I don’t matter, hate aimed at me my reputation doesn’t matter. That’s the message @ABCStudios @ABCNetwork has sent to millions of Muslims by issuing an apology to Indian nationalists bullies. Heartbroken
— Sharbari Ahmed (@sharbarizohra) June 8, 2018
In an interview with Mid-Day Ahmed said, "The swift reaction (to the episode) indicates the state of mind that India is in. It is so similar to the absurd reaction they had to Padmaavat. The idea of nationalism in itself is taking on a problematic colour. It says essentially that I am better than you, my culture and beliefs are superior to yours."
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
Defending Priyanka's silence over the issue, she added, "Priyanka is a smart woman. I doubt she would be involved if the episode was offensive. ABC (the network) would be sensitive to that as well. It is absurd that there is such an uproar about a fictional show."
But in a recently issued statement by the network, it looks like ABC differs from Ahmed's opinion. The network apologised for having stepped into a sensitive political issue.
Being attacked for something I didn’t write just because I’m Muslim, always fun. However I stand with the #Quantico writers and @TeamPriyanka. Absurd, irrational reaction to a storyline. My views are my own btw.
— Sharbari Ahmed (@sharbarizohra) June 6, 2018
"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," the ABC statement read.
"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," it continued.
After the episode, Priyanka Chopra, an Indian, was trolled brutally. Twitter slammed her for the plot and tweets like "shame on you, Priyanka Chopra. Why are you making people dig into your half Christian religion behind your contribution to anti-India/anti-Hindu propaganda? How low you Bollywoodtards will fall for money & fame?" were posted. Some people wrote that Priyanka has 'let down several Indians.'
Here are some tweets.
#Quantico Shows Hindu Men With Rudraksh, Identified As #Indian Nationalists Planning A Nuclear Attack With Knowledge Of Indian Govt To Frame "Innocent" #Pakistan.
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadejaaaa) June 6, 2018
Who Are Funding These #AntiIndiaGang? Why Is Priyanka Chopra Supporting Them? Money>Nation?pic.twitter.com/GYO2tFR1Pu
Shame on you @priyankachopra
— Bheem Ramji Ambedkar🚩 (@Indian_Dunce) June 6, 2018
Why are you making people dig into your half Christian religion behind your contribution to anti-India/anti-Hindu propaganda?
How low you Bollywoodtards will fall for money & fame?#QuanticoSlammed #AntiNationalPriyanka
Shouldn't @priyankachopra apologise? She should not have agreed to shoot a 'Hindu terror plot' knowing well that the fictional plot will portray India in a bad light. Also, she has a bigger responsibility towards her country than some godforsaken American television channel!! https://t.co/3CIhkzLfNl
— Priti Gandhi (@MrsGandhi) June 8, 2018
So only a south asian, only a Muslim from East Pakistan could only imagine a Rudraksha wearing INDIAN HINDU plotting to defame pakistan (a terrorist state already). Whatta coincidence!😒 #SaveIndiasHindus
— Bheem Ramji Ambedkar🚩 (@Indian_Dunce) June 8, 2018
Pro Tip for u: Your Bangladesh is home of Rohingyashttps://t.co/wyiRYGV1ac
You know @priyankachopra , as an Indian I hate you to the depth of my patriotism. Shame on you #QuanticoSlammed
— The Unclear Bomb (@Unclear_bomb) June 7, 2018
Every eminent personality of any country becomes brand ambassador of that country too, so it's the responsibility of @priyankachopra not to hurt the sentiment of anyone, she has done foolish act and let down the fellow Indian.#Quantico #QuanticoSlammed
— V.K.A. 🇮🇳 (@VKA_INDIAN) June 8, 2018
What the hell was this episode of #Quantico .. they tried to show ‘Indian nationalists’ (their term) trying to blow up Manhattan to frame Pakistan.. I don’t even know what sort of ridiculous narrative was this episode trying to set.. nonsensical stuff..
— Aadit Kapadia (@ask0704) June 3, 2018
I work in Manhattan. Thousands of Indians work in Manhattan. Plotting a bomb blast in Manhattan is as good as plotting it in New Delhi.#Quantico writers mom dropped him/her on head or Pro-Pakistan/Islamic radical views have entered Hollywood.
— Abhishek Vaishampayan (@a_vaishampayan) June 5, 2018
And @priyankachopra how cud you?
What kind of stupid ass episode is this?? Indian nationals trying to frame Pakistan #Quantico pic.twitter.com/o097ecDETF
— Dawn Marissa (@DawnMarissa1) June 4, 2018
They try to wade into the India-Pakistan issue and come up miserably short.. the storyline is not just implausible, the narrative is faulty feels like them trying to create a false equivalence where none exists.. all this on a show with an Indian actress @priyankachopra .. sad
— Aadit Kapadia (@ask0704) June 3, 2018
I can't believe #Quantico brought up the Kashmir and relationship issues between India & Pakistan this way. Makes me laugh more than anything. Also they're walking with a nuclear bomb in hand in the middle of Nyc and not scared it might blow up???
— J / (@quirkyresponse) June 4, 2018
If u really want to know how to become anti nationalist nd anti hindu ...don't forget to watch priyanka chopra's latest episode of Quantico..she is more dangerous thn those terrorist who hav weapons in their hands nd killing hindus..#ShameonyouPriyankaChopra 😠😠
— Priyanka Sinha (@Priyank64978406) June 5, 2018
ABC apologises to Indians for Hindu Nationalist Terror Plot portrayed in Quantico.
— Jagrati Shukla (@JagratiShukla29) June 8, 2018
What's holding Priyanka Chopra back from Apologising?Sell outs like her are an insult to India.She consciously consented for the act.Shame.
More power to India & Indians#JaiHind 🇮🇳💪 #Quantico
Priyanka Chopra's #Quantico shows Hindu Nationalists with RUDRAKSHS plotting to blow up Manhattan to frame Pakistan
— Naina 🇮🇳 (@NaIna0806) June 6, 2018
Its unfortunate that Piggy Chops an Indian National was OK and agreed to be a part of the show that disrespected India despite being aware of ground realities. pic.twitter.com/lTvFraGSKF
This is the scene from Quantico where the terrorist is being shown with ‘Rudraksha’ & Priyanka Chopra had no objections with it. Now let’s #BoycottSamsung nation-wide until the remove her from brand ambassador post. pic.twitter.com/EJzWKFE66A
— Bhaiyyaji (@bhaiyyajispeaks) June 6, 2018
Priyanka Chopra is not a newbie or some small-time actor who works on others’ terms and conditions which means that she wasn’t forced to do, what she did in Quantico. So please, don’t give her any benefit of doubt. She did, what she believes in.
— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) June 8, 2018
Josh Safran, Quantico's showrunner, said that Major rule of Quantico is that it never features a Muslim terrorist. So, Is that why they featured Hindu Terrorist?
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) June 8, 2018
I think Priyanka Chopra could asked for script changes because She'd already changed some dialogues in Quantico before
Quantico will go off air after season 3
