Kashmir row
KFC India apologises for post on Kashmir row, Pizza Hut clarifies stand after facing backlash
New Delhi/IBNS: Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain KFC India on Monday apologised for a post that was published on the company's social media handles in Pakistan supporting separatists in Kashmir.
"We deeply apologize for a post that was published on some KFC social media channels outside the country. We honour and respect India, and remain steadfast in our commitment to serving all Indians with pride," KFC India tweeted.
We deeply apologize for a post that was published on some KFC social media channels outside the country. We honour and respect India, and remain steadfast in our commitment to serving all Indians with pride.
— KFC India (@KFC_India) February 7, 2022
Another QSR chain Pizza Hut also issued a statement saying "it does not condone, support or agree with the contents of a post circulating in social media" after facing backlash for its Pakistan franchise's Instagram post on the Kashmir issue.
Pizza Hut, in its statement available with media, said "it does not condone, support or agree with the contents of a post circulating in social media. We remain steadfast in our commitment to serve all our brothers and sisters with pride."
Earlier, in a social media post, a verified account of KFC in support of the separatists in Kashmir, posted: "Kashmir belong to Kashmiris."
An Instagram post from the verified account of 'Pizzahutpak' said, "We stand with you. Kashmir Solidarity Day."
Both the social media posts have been deleted after #BoycottKFC and #BoycottPizzaHut started trending on Twitter.
The controversy was triggered after a Twitter handle named @hyundaiPakistanOfficial posted, "Let us remember the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and stand in support as they struggle for freedom."
Slamming the firm, several netizens called for a mass boycott cancelling bookings of Hyundai cars.
Facing the public ire, the company posted on Twitter, "Hyundai Motor India has been committed to the Indian market for more than 25 years now and we stand firmly for our strong ethos of respecting nationalism."
"The unsolicited social media post linking Hyundai Motor India is offending our unparalleled commitment and service to this great country.
Official Statement from Hyundai Motor India Ltd.#Hyundai #HyundaiIndia pic.twitter.com/dDsdFXbaOd
— Hyundai India (@HyundaiIndia) February 6, 2022
"India is second home to the Hyundai brand and we have (a) zero tolerance policy towards insensitive communication and we strongly condemn any such view," it added.
"As part of our commitment to India, we will continue our efforts towards the betterment of the country as well as its citizens," it further said.
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