American fast-food restaurant chain, Kentucky Fried Chicken, or as it is popularly known as KFC has been facing the wrath of Indian netizens after a post on Kashmir Solidarity Day surfaced online by its Pakistan branch. Within no time, ‘#BoycottKFC’ started trending on Twitter, with Indian netizens back-lashing the world’s second-largest restaurant chain.
Although the post has been deleted by KFC Pakistan, netizens are sharing screenshots demanding an apology from the company. The actual post read, “Kashmir belongs to the Kashmiris” written in bold red. With it, they attached a caption that read, “You never felt our thoughts and we hope that the coming years bring peace to you!”
Following the uproar on the micro-blogging site, KFC India issued an apology which read, “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.”
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
Twitteratis criticized the company for promoting ‘anti-India propaganda’. Some even opined that the restaurant chain major does not have the right to do business in India while some called for action against the company. Here are some of the tweets by the Twitteratis backlashing the company for the controversial tweet.
I appeal to the centre & all the state govts to take serious action against all the @KFC_India outlets and ask them to shut their outlets .
They have no right to do buisness in India. #BoycottKFC pic.twitter.com/6CugpmjI7h— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) February 7, 2022
I request all the fellow citizens of India to boycott KFC.
Kashmir is the Integral part of India.
“Hamara tha, Hamara hai, aur hamara he rahega” #BoycottKFC pic.twitter.com/NwCnkUq9Ln— Divya Gandotra Tandon (@divya_gandotra) February 7, 2022
Every brand should realise that this is not old india…this is new india won’t tolerate anything on national sovereignty #BoycottKFC pic.twitter.com/Xecy9PT9tx
— अभय कुमार (@theabhaykumar0) February 7, 2022
How dare these multinational earns billions from India and talk against us #BoycottKFC pic.twitter.com/ojqOR9q4Br
— #RenukaJain (@RenukaJain6) February 7, 2022
Apology rejected .
We need apology letter , how can you post something like this ? Kashmir is an integral part of India. ???It’s time to wrap up your business from india , wait and watch. #BoycottKFC #KFC#KashmirSolidarityWithIndia pic.twitter.com/hzgZ269b0c#BoycottKFC pic.twitter.com/hvjgYtMGF1
— Partha (@Partha81705428) February 7, 2022
@KFC_India
KFC is posting about Kashmir Solidarity Day every year. #BoycottKFC#BoycottKiaMotorsPlease do something: @AskAnshul , @goelgauravbjp , @rahulroushan , @JaipurDialogues pic.twitter.com/ITt9nvbbIA
— Boycott KFC (@IndWorldNews) February 7, 2022
What’s wrong @kfc? Kashmir is an integral part of India and shall always remain.#BoycottKFC@AskAnshul @TajinderBagga @ShefVaidya @MrsGandhi pic.twitter.com/zoufxRhnS0
— Skarma Norboo (@SkarmaNorboo) February 7, 2022
Never again. Get out of my country @KFC_India #BoycottKFC pic.twitter.com/6YJ2GESXn5
— Bad Cat (@purrrkins) February 7, 2022
We won tolerate such anti Indian propaganda. #BoycottKFC @kfc you have lot your minds selling chickens. ? https://t.co/T9MC6OTHFg
— Mangesh Parmar (@parmar_mangesh_) February 7, 2022
Everyone . #BoycottKFC pic.twitter.com/3WW7qbWTXr
— Harish Sharma (@Sharmaharishji) February 7, 2022
I am glad that I have never eaten in KFC. #BoycottKFC pic.twitter.com/hknqYJlFTO
— Maggi (@JainMaggii) February 7, 2022
Ok .. One more needs azaadi .. KFC this time.. Jai Ho … This is almost becoming target practice for indian consumers.. Go ahead india . Join the #FitIndia movement today. ?? #BoycottKFC #NewIndia pic.twitter.com/1kVCdnQsLY
— Sqn Ldr Vinod Kumar (Retd)?? (@veekay122002) February 7, 2022
Last year’s Facebook post from KFC Pakistan. Time to #BoycottKFC as well pic.twitter.com/aodgLLTxT4
— Monica (@TrulyMonica) February 7, 2022
I was standing in front of @KFC_India and was about to order something for my friend , then we saw this post . Now we ll go to #haldirams . Bye bye @KFC_India#boycottkfc #KashmirSolidarityWithIndia pic.twitter.com/PCoogbOJPX
— ??Vini7??? (@VImvinit007) February 7, 2022
After Seen This , I Have Decided To .#BoycottKFC pic.twitter.com/kRBkqspAq7
— Dr. Prachi Sadhvi (@Sadhvi_prachi) February 7, 2022
Trending 1st . #BoycottKFC
This is India , Jo Nationalist Chahenge Wahi Hoga ??@kfc You Can Pack Your Bag . Get Out
— Arun Yadav (@beingarun28) February 7, 2022
Want business from India & sympathy from Pakistan.
Nah. Not gonna work ⚠️❌
Apologise publically & say J&K have been, is and shall be an integral part of India otherwise pack your bags @KFC_India @kfc#BoycottKFC pic.twitter.com/7fEpxFSpl4
— Manish Sharma ?? (@iManisharmaa) February 7, 2022
This is not the first time a company is facing hatred by the Indians for its ‘anti-India propaganda’ post on Kashmir Solidarity Day, but the South Korean automotive manufacturer, Hyundai, and its sister company, Kia faced the same boycott threats. Hyundai Pakistan shared a post on February 5 to commemorate Kashmir Solidarity Day which read, “Let us remember the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers and stand in support as they continue to struggle for freedom.” Following this, Kia Motors Crosswords – Hyderabad made a post on the same issue which made Indians flak for ‘siding with Pakistan.’ The posts by the companies made social media flooded with tweets that had #BoycottHyundai and #BoycottKia trend in no time.
