Deepinder Goyal, the Chief Executive Officer of food delivery giant Zomato, has publicly condemned acts of violence and obstruction faced by the company's delivery partners during the recent festive season. Taking to social media platform X, Goyal shared videos and stated that some Zomato and Blinkit delivery executives were prevented from performing their duties on Christmas and New Year's Eve due to ongoing strike actions.
CEO's Firm Stance on Peaceful Protest vs. Violence
In a series of posts over the last two days, Goyal has positioned himself as a vocal defender of the quick-commerce and gig economy framework. "I am all for peaceful protests against anything and everything. But violent protests and stopping others who want to work from working is not okay," he wrote. This commentary comes against the backdrop of widespread demonstrations by delivery workers associated with various e-commerce platforms across multiple Indian cities. The protesting gig workers have been demanding improved pay structures, enhanced safety measures, and access to social security benefits.
Amid the operational disruptions caused by these protests, Goyal has emerged as a prominent public figure advocating for the sector. He has used his platform to articulate the challenges and defend the viability of the gig work model, which employs a massive workforce in the country.
Allegations of Outsider Involvement in Protests
Goyal made a significant claim in his social media post, suggesting that not all protestors were genuine delivery partners. He alleged that a number of individuals participating in the agitation were not actually associated with Zomato or its quick-commerce arm, Blinkit. The executive based this assertion on information available to him and the company, hinting at the involvement of external elements.
"They were agents of political interests, piggybacking on the narrative to gain political mileage," Goyal alleged. The videos he shared purported to show instances of harassment faced by delivery personnel who chose to work during the strike. In one clip, a delivery person claimed that an individual broke his phone simply because he continued to work instead of joining the strike.
Netizens React with Divided Opinions
The CEO's post quickly garnered significant attention on social media, sparking hundreds of comments and revealing a divided public opinion. Several users supported Goyal's perspective, viewing the protests as a politically motivated campaign targeting a sector that provides employment to a vast number of people.
One user commented, supporting Goyal's view, "It's just a politically motivated campaign... Everyone does this because this is his best option right now." Another user expressed concern about the impact of such incidents, stating, "This is shameful... This throws a wrong message to investors."
However, other netizens urged caution and due process. A respondent noted, "Violence should be condemned — no debate there. But once companies claim 'outsiders' and 'political agents,' the bar shifts to proof and due process. Conflating protest with sabotage risks delegitimising genuine worker voice." This highlights the ongoing complex debate surrounding workers' rights, the gig economy's structure, and the methods of protest in India's evolving digital marketplace.
