Hyundai India found itself in the eye of the storm as it chose to block users after they supported their Pakistani dealership’s call for disintegration of Jammu and Kashmir union territory from Bharat.

Hyundai Pakistan had put out a tweet “Let us remember the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and stand in support as they continue to struggle for freedom”, with the word Kashmir in barbed wire and Srinagar’s Dal Lake in the background. The motor company’s Pakistani handle post in solidarity with the Pakistan government-sponsored “Kashmiri Solidarity Day” on February 5 was put up across various social media platforms.

Bharatiya citizens were appalled at the brazenness with which the South Korean company not just meddled in Bharat’s internal affairs but also supported the propaganda of the Islamic nation. Furthermore, on being questioned the company’s Bharatiya social media handle blocked netizens. Social media users responded by trending #BoycottHyundai in protest against the arrogance shown by the company’s social media handlers.

Following the severe backlash, the company issued an official statement rather than an apology which came across as a justification of their arrogance. While it claimed to ‘respect nationalism’, it further added that linking the unsolicited post to Hyundai India offended its “unparalleled commitment and service to this great country”. For a company that considers Bharat as its second home, its refusal to disown its Pakistani counterpart’s view is rather confounding.

The company’s arrogance in refusing to issue an unconditional apology didn’t go unnoticed and several social media users highlighted the same. Despite its zero-tolerance policy towards insensitive communication, it was the company’s statement that came across as insensitive and actually appeared to rub salt on the wounds of Bharatiyas.

The least one can expect as a Bharatiya is that Hyundai India would stand by its citizens and disown the views of its Pakistani counterpart rather than dismissing their concerns with contempt.

(Featured Image Source: International Business Times)