South Korean automobile maker Hyundai on Friday landed in trouble after a recent social media post from the company's Pakistan unit did not go down too well with several in the country.
On February 5, Hyundai Pakistan's social media handles had shared posts in solidarity with the "Kashmiri brothers" in their "struggle for freedom". Pakistan has been observing February 5 as 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' to show its support for the separatist movement in Kashmir.
However, Indian netizens were outraged by the company's choice to demonstrate support with Kashmiris, and sought a boycott of the company. On Twitter, the hashtag #BoycottHyundai quickly became a top trend.
Soon after the #BoycottHyundai started trending on Twitter, the social media posts were removed and the carmaker issued a statement and said that it "stands firmly for its "strong ethos of respecting nationalism".
The company in its statement further stated that it has been committed to the Indian market which has been its second home for over 25 years now and alleged that the 'unsolicited' social media post linking Hyundai Motor India 'offends' its commitment and service to India.
The statement went on to highlight the company's "zero-tolerance policy towards insensitive communication".
Several Twitter users had called out the company for its social media posts on 'Kashmir Solidarity Day.'
Hello @Hyundai_Global,How come your official handle in Pak is supporting terror state Pakistan's propaganda on Kashmir ?@HyundaiIndia If you can't respect the sovereignty of my nation,Pack your bags and leave my country ! Friends,Keep retweeting till @Hyundai_Global apologise !," one user wrote.
"Boycott @HyundaiIndia I urge all nationalist Hindustanis to stop buying Hyundai cars and let them realize what is power of Hindustan," tweeted one user. Another remarked, "Get ready @HyundaiIndia, a mass boycott is coming up for you. Seriously, none of Indian brands ever made any such comments on Kashmir. #BoycottHyundai," another user wrote.
Hyundai has partnered with Nishat Mills, a subsidiary of Nishat Group, in Pakistan.
Hyundai Motor India is the second-largest carmaker in the country after Maruti Suzuki India.