New Delhi: Indian social media erupted in anger Sunday afternoon over a tweet put out by the Twitter handle of Hyundai Pakistan. The tweet, commemorating Pakistan’s ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’, read, “Let us remember the sacrifice of our Kashmiri brothers and stand in support as they continue to struggle for freedom.”
The caption was shared along with a poster which had a picture of the Dal Lake and the word ‘Kashmir’ written in yellow and covered with barbed wires on top.
ThePrint could not independently verify the said tweets by Hyundai Pakistan, which is an unverified handle on Twitter.
Hyundai in Pakistan is asking for freedom of Kashmir.
Hyundai Pakistan also posted them same on its Facebook page. Link: https://t.co/ZOBDggsdW0 pic.twitter.com/Kmmk2Rc1wu
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) February 6, 2022
A Facebook post, too, was made sharing the poster. Both the Twitter and Facebook posts were later removed by the company.
Observed as ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’, 5 February is a public holiday in Pakistan, to show the country’s support for the separatist movement in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement Sunday, Hyundai India said: “Hyundai Motor India has been committed to the Indian market for more than 25 years now and we stand firmly for our strong ethos of respecting nationalism. The unsolicited social media post linking Hyundai Motor India is offending our unparalleled commitment and service to this great country. India is second home to the Hyundai brand and we have zero tolerance policy towards insensitive communication and we strongly condemn any such view. As part of our commitment to India, we will continue our efforts towards the betterment of the country as well as its citizens.”
Official Statement from Hyundai Motor India Ltd.#Hyundai #HyundaiIndia pic.twitter.com/dDsdFXbaOd
— Hyundai India (@HyundaiIndia) February 6, 2022
Also Read: Hyundai Motor India Foundation announces roll-out of COVID-19 relief measures on a war footing
#BoycottHyundai trends on social media
As Indian Twitter users took umbrage over the post, stating that Kashmir shall always be an integral part of India, the hashtag #BoycottHyundai trended on the social media platform. Such was the outrage that the over 67,000 tweets on the issue\hashtag outnumbered the tweets on the demise of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar.
Hey @HyundaiIndia, care to explain what this nonsense is about? This is your official page, as linked from your website.
Kashmir is an essential part of India, in case you didn’t know. @PMOIndia @AmitShah @anujdhar https://t.co/EZ37HFuK4c#BoycottHyundai#BanHyundai pic.twitter.com/ELQ1JQoqr5
— Sreejith Panickar (@PanickarS) February 6, 2022
Further whetting the controversy, Hyundai Pakistan and Hyundai India’s Twitter handles were made private and the tweets protected. Hyundai India even blocked some twitter users over their posts, users alleged. One Twitter user, with the handle @Rockumon, said: “You can protect your tweets but not business”.
You can protect your tweets but not business.#BoycottHyundai pic.twitter.com/1OR14GK73t
— Rocket Scientist ?? (@Rockumon) February 6, 2022
Several angry Twitter users claimed that they would cancel their bookings with the South Korean automotive conglomerate and switch to Indian car companies.
#BoycottHyundai Hyundai supports ??. I'll discourage my relatives from considering a Hyundai car for buying at upcoming Gudhi Padwa. pic.twitter.com/rn6HQPLld7
— Ankur ?️ (@GaikwadAnkur) February 6, 2022
Other Indian Twitter users added screenshots of the Hyundai India Twitter handle blocking them for posting their objection to the said tweet by Hyundai Pakistan.
One tweet being critical about Hynduai and they block me ??????@Hyundai_Global , thank you for showing how your system work. Only + feedback allowed by your system time to say #BoycottHyundai pic.twitter.com/bzR4ruj4rP
— Ajay Pillay ?? (@ajaypillay06) February 6, 2022
LOL! This is what @HyundaiIndia does to you when you point them to the actions of their Pakistan counterpart who questioned India’s sovereignty! We see your loyalty. Pakistan handle had the basic sense to delete their posts, but you guys prove why #BoycottHyundai is trending! ? pic.twitter.com/cxKh2NsMge
— Sreejith Panickar (@PanickarS) February 6, 2022
(Edited by Saikat Niyogi)
Also read: Hyundai to offer six EVs in India by 2028, seeks first-mover advantage