India’s Twitterati demanded a boycott of car giant Hyundai on Sunday after it tweeted in support of the Kashmiri “brothers” and their “fight for freedom”. The now-deleted tweet was posted from the official Hyundai Pakistan Twitter account.
The controversial tweet read: “Let us remember the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and support them as they continue to fight for freedom. The tweet also carried the hashtag #KashmirSolidarityDay.
The move to express solidarity with Kashmiri people was not well received by Indian users, who demanded a boycott from the automaker. Soon the hashtag #BoycottHyundai became a major trend on Twitter.
I don’t know why a brand like Hyundai decided to meddle in politics and destroy its value in India 🤷
Now #BoycottHyundai is already trending
ultimate personal 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 cashmere for pak?
Truly @HyundaiIndia
Shame on your postIt’s time to boycott this hyundai
Be in this country a beggar and you also become a beggar pic.twitter.com/KDzNEUvo5X
— Shruti (@kadak_chai_) February 6, 2022
@PakistanHyundai For your information, Kashmir was, is and always will be an unbreakable part of India and @Hyundai_Global if you can’t make good strong cars, at least have good manpower.#BoycottHyundai pic.twitter.com/pzqdv0YY6Q
— Nishtha_Jalan27 (@anti_woke24x7) February 6, 2022
#BoycottHyundaiReal Indians must show them the power of their wallet. #BoycottHyundai pic.twitter.com/4etGUbI9NX
— BHARAT KUMAR (@BHARATK67053857) February 6, 2022
Hey @HyundaiIndia, do you want to explain what it is? This is your official page as linked from your website.
Kashmir is an essential part of India, in case you don’t know. @PMOIndia @AmitShah @anujdhar https://t.co/EZ37HFuK4c#BoycottHyundai#BanHyundai pic.twitter.com/ELQ1JQoqr5
— Sreejith Panickar (@PanickarS) February 6, 2022
I did not realize @Hyundai_Global makes more money in Pakistan than in India. So they can afford to throw the Indian market under the bus for the Pakistani bhuka-nanga market.
Let’s make it easy for them. #BoycottHyundai @MOTIEKoreaEng pic.twitter.com/rGlQmHK3ln
— Nepali Sabkesab (@ISerious9) February 6, 2022
Hyundai India has not released any statement so far, while Hyundai Pakistan has opted to lock down its Twitter profile.
Kashmir has been a thorny issue between India and Pakistan as the two countries have fought several wars over it. India had revoked the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 as the Indian government led by BJP Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the repeal of Article 370 which granted special powers to the people local, predominantly Muslim, special rights.
