Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Company Tuesday unequivocally condemned a post by an independent distributor in Pakistan on its official Twitter and Facebook handles, announcing “solidarity with Kashmir”. This is the second statement issued by the company amid mounting pressure on social media in India. “As a business policy, Hyundai Motor Company does not comment on political or religious issues in any specific region. Therefore, it is clearly against Hyundai Motor’s policy that the independently owned distributor in Pakistan made unauthorized Kashmir-related social media posts from their accounts”, HMC said. You can see the statement of HMC below.
Separately, the auto retailers body Federation of Automobile Dealers’ Association (FADA) Sunday said it has written to Hyundai India and Kia India to clear their stand on the issue. FADA has also urged the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers SIAM India to seek clarifications on the issue.
“We strictly condemn the act of Hyundai Pakistan and Kia Pakistan for the tweets on Kashmir. We remain committed to our motherland and have written to both the companies in India to clear their stand on the same”, FADA said in a statement, adding, “We also urge the Ministry of Heavy Industries & SIAM India to seek clarifications.”
Hyundai Motor India, the country's second-largest carmaker, has come under massive crossfire on social media after the car maker’s Pakistan arm released posts on its official Twitter and Facebook handles, announcing “solidarity with Kashmir”. Social media users in India on Sunday called for mass boycotts or canceling bookings of the carmaker.
Several verified handles of BJP and VHP ministers also called for boycotts of Hyundai India through tweets on Sunday, adding taglines such as 'Kashmir Hamara Hi Rahega' (Kashmir will remain ours)
“Let us remember the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and stand in support as they struggle for freedom,” the posts by Hyundai Pakistan declared on Saturday. The same has now been deleted.
A spokesperson for Hyundai India Sunday said it had “zero tolerance” to such communication. “The unsolicited social media post linking Hyundai Motor India is offending our unparalleled commitment and service. India is a second home to the Hyundai brand and we have a zero-tolerance policy towards insensitive communication and we strongly condemn any such view,” the spokesperson said in a revert to ET.
The posts by Hyundai Pakistan noted February 5 as Kashmir Solidarity Day. Some social media users in India tweeted that they would “discourage relatives from buying a Hyundai car for buying at upcoming Gudhi Padwa” - a festival considered auspicious for buying. This year, Gudhi Padwa falls in April.
The issue in Rajya Sabha:
When the issue was raised in Rajya Sabha, the commerce and Industry Minister Mr.Goyal said “ the issue has been taken up both with the government there and the company concerned”
