After South Korean automobile manufacturer – Hyundai Motor Company courted controversy after its Pakistani subsidiary called for the disintegration of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India, its sister-company Kia Motors Corporation also got in trouble after its dealer in Pakistan’s Hyderabad made similar such post.
In a tweet, the Kia Crossroads showroom situated in Hyderabad, Pakistan, has tweeted in support of so-called Kashmir Day and claimed that it stands for the freedom of Kashmir.
“We stand United for the freedom of Kashmir. #KashmirDay #5Feb,” tweeted Kia Motors on Saturday.
Following the display of arrogance by a Kia dealership in Pakistan, netizens in India got enraged against Kia for calling the country’s disintegration. Social media users questioned the Indian counterpart as well as the parent company whether they endorse the views of the Pakistani dealer.
One user said he would sell his car after Kia wanted freedom for Kashmir.
I guess it’s time sell my car. Sigh.
— Jack Reddy (@Megamind_MP) February 6, 2022
Hyundai & Kia want ‘Freedom’ for Kashmir…
Goes to show just how well connected and deep the ecosystem is.
Another user said it was wrong for Kia to take sides on Kashmir, a place where genocides of Hindus took place in 1990.
#BoycottKiaMotors@Kia_Worldwide is it correct to take sides on Kashmir, a place which has seen GENOCIDE of HINDUS by Muslims of that place time & again, especially on #January191990 ?
— Rati #ProtectWithPen (@ratihegde) February 6, 2022
Shame on you for your love of that country which breeds terrorists.@KiaInd @PMOIndia
Likewise, several Indians called for a boycott of Kia, along with Hyundai and said that the nation’s pride was more important than petty business considerations.
It’s time to boycott cars manufactured by @KiaInd .
— thecenturion (@thecenturion13) February 6, 2022
How dare Kia call for freedom of Kashmir !!!
Nation’s pride more imp than petty business considerations.#BoycottHyundai #BoycottHyundaiindia #BoycottKia #BoycottKiaIndia
Please don’t buy Kia cars & cancel existing bookings https://t.co/2GfIf2atLq
Kia motors – as controlled by parent company Hyundai – also posted for freedom and solidarity of Kashmir!
— Sanskar Rao🇮🇳 (@SanskarBarot) February 6, 2022
This is uncalled for and heights of testing Indian sentiment and consumerism! pic.twitter.com/Q7SaRDniHU
Meanwhile, demands to boycott Kia have been gaining momentum on social media.
Hyundai India blocks netizens after they question whether they endorse their Pakistani counterpart’s views on Kashmir:
On Saturday (February 5), automobile manufacturer Hyundai Motor Company courted controversy after the firm’s Pakistani venture called for the disintegration of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India.
Strangely, as Indian netizens asked Hyundai India to tweet in support of India and questioned whether they endorsed the tweet of Hyundai Pakistan, Hyundai India started blocking those Indians on Twitter.
The Pakistani handle posted the contentious tweet, seeking the secession of Indian territory, on the occasion of “Kashmir Solidarity Day”. It is a national holiday observed annually on February 5 to show support to Islamic terrorists and Kashmiri separatists operating from Indian soil.
Indian netizens were miffed at the brazen interference in India’s geopolitical affairs and dissemination of Pakistani government propaganda by the South Korean automotive manufacturer. However, on questioning Hyundai India whether it endorsed the stand of Hyundai Pakistan, the firm responded by blocking the Indian netizens.
Meanwhile, Hyundai in Pakistan eventually deleted the tweet and its Indian counterpart protected its account and made the tweets private.
