Indian Twitterati on Sunday demanded the boycott of automobile giant Hyundai after it tweeted in support of Kashmiri ‘brothers’ and their ‘struggle for freedom.’ The tweet, now deleted, was posted from the official Twitter handle of Hyundai Pakistan.
The controversial tweet had read, “Let us remember the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and stand in support as they continue to struggle for freedom.” The tweet also carried hashtag #KashmirSolidarityDay.
The decision to express its solidarity with Kashmiris did not go down well with Indian users, who demanded a boycott of the car manufacturer. Soon hashtag #BoycottHyundai became a top trend on Twitter.
Don't know why did a brand like Hyundai decide to meddle in Politics and destroy it's value in India ????
Now #BoycottHyundai is already trending
Ultimate Self Goal pic.twitter.com/LixZOixdZI— Suman Pandit (@suman28pandit) February 6, 2022
We should make Hyundai India pay for this.. #BoycottHyundai @HyundaiIndia pic.twitter.com/0h7HrWli7n
— Jithin Krishna (@jithinkrishna95) February 6, 2022
Free kashmir for pak?
Really @HyundaiIndia
Shame on ur postTime to boycott this hyundai
Be in that beggar country & u also become beggar pic.twitter.com/KDzNEUvo5X
— Shruti (@kadak_chai_) February 6, 2022
@PakistanHyundai For your information Kashmir was, is and will always remain an unbreakable part of India and @Hyundai_Global if you can't make good and strong cars atleast have good workforce.#BoycottHyundai pic.twitter.com/pzqdv0YY6Q
— Nishtha_Jalan27 (@anti_woke24x7) February 6, 2022
#BoycottHyundai, True Indians must show them the power of their wallets. #BoycottHyundai pic.twitter.com/4etGUbI9NX
— BHARAT KUMAR (@BHARATK67053857) February 6, 2022
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
I didn't realise @Hyundai_Global made more money in Pakistan than in India. So they can afford to throw Indian market under the bus for bhuka-nanga Pakistani market.
Let's make it easier for them. #BoycottHyundai @MOTIEKoreaEng pic.twitter.com/rGlQmHK3ln
— Sabkesab Nepali (@ISerious9) February 6, 2022
Hyundai India has not issued any statement so far, while Hyundai Pakistan has chosen to lock its Twitter profile.
Kashmir has been a thorny issue between India and Pakistan with both countries having fought several wars over the issue. India had revoked the statehood status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 as the Indian government led by BJP Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the abrogation of Article 370 that gave special powers to local population, predominantly Muslims, special rights.