In a move to understand the ground realities of India's booming quick-commerce sector, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament Raghav Chadha stepped into the shoes of a delivery executive for a day. The politician, a known critic of aggressive delivery timelines, documented his experience in a video shared on social media on January 12, 2026.
From Parliament to Pavement: Chadha's Day on the Job
Chadha, who represents Delhi in the Rajya Sabha, has been a vocal opponent of the 10-minute delivery promises made by various instant grocery platforms. He has consistently argued that such stringent deadlines force delivery partners to compromise on road safety to meet unrealistic targets set by companies.
To back his criticism with firsthand experience, the AAP MP decided to work a full shift. His post on platform X (formerly Twitter) captured the essence of his mission. "Away from boardrooms, at the grassroots. I lived their day," Chadha wrote, accompanying a video that showed snippets of his time navigating traffic and completing deliveries.
A Critique of Quick Commerce Pressures
The experiment was not merely a publicity stunt but a direct commentary on the working conditions within the quick commerce industry. Platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart have revolutionized urban consumption with promises of delivery within minutes. However, this race for speed has sparked debates about worker welfare and road safety.
Chadha's central argument is that the pressure to deliver within an impossibly short window pushes riders to take dangerous risks. This includes speeding, jumping traffic signals, and navigating congested roads recklessly, all to avoid penalties or maintain performance ratings. His day as a delivery agent was an attempt to embody these challenges personally.
Public and Political Reactions
The video and Chadha's act have reignited a crucial conversation about the human cost of hyper-convenience. His action aligns with a growing scrutiny from activists and labor unions demanding better pay, safety gear, and more humane delivery schedules for gig workers.
By choosing to experience the job himself, Chadha has added a significant political voice to the discourse. It underscores a demand for potential regulatory frameworks that balance consumer demand with the fundamental rights and safety of the workforce powering these multi-billion dollar companies.
The incident, dated January 12, 2026, serves as a powerful reminder that behind every 10-minute delivery notification is a person navigating immense pressure. Chadha's grassroots experiment highlights the urgent need for a sustainable and ethical model in the fast-evolving quick commerce landscape.
