An Indian social entrepreneur has publicly criticised Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal for his recent comments describing striking delivery workers as "miscreants". Anand Sankar, who runs an apple e-tailing business in Uttarakhand, asserted that gig workers form the backbone of platform-based companies and deserve respect, not derogatory labels.
Strike and a Controversial Label
The controversy erupted after delivery partners associated with multiple food and grocery platforms, including Zomato, staged a strike on December 31. Their primary demands were increased pay and better working conditions.
In response to the industrial action, Goyal stated that local law enforcement helped manage a "small number of miscreants". He highlighted that this allowed Zomato and its quick-commerce subsidiary Blinkit to successfully complete over 75 lakh (7.5 million) deliveries on New Year's Eve.
Sankar found this characterisation deeply offensive. In a now-viral post on social media platform X, he reminded Goyal that "your life has been built on their sweat." He decided to voice his criticism despite being cautioned that it could jeopardise his business prospects, including potential future investment from Goyal or a product listing on Blinkit.
"Being outspoken about issues I care about is who I am and this won't change, especially when this issue of gig workers is central to the industry where I run my business," Sankar explained.
Personal Experiences Fuel Advocacy
Sankar, founder of Tons Valley Shop and Sayb Apples, said his empathy for delivery workers stems from firsthand experiences during his venture's early days in 2020.
One incident involved a delivery rider from a logistics company who arrived on a motorcycle to collect 320 kg of apples from Sankar's Dehradun home. The rider proposed making three or four trips, carrying 60-70 kg on his two-wheeler each time. Sankar immediately refused, deeming the plan dangerously unsafe.
"I refused to handover orders till a chota hathi [small vehicle] came or they sent 10 riders," he recalled. After he argued with the company, they sent an appropriate vehicle the next day and later began consulting him on suitable transport for pickups.
Another troubling episode occurred in Bengaluru. A delivery agent was tasked with taking a 10 kg apple box to an eighth-floor apartment on Bannerghatta Road but was barred from entering the building. The customer insisted he carry the box upstairs, leading to verbal abuse. Since the fresh produce couldn't be returned, the agent's supervisor contacted Sankar.
Sankar intervened, spoke to the distressed agent in his local language, confirmed the incident with the security guard, and then called the customer. He reprimanded the customer, issued an immediate refund, and instructed the agent to keep the apples. This gesture forged a lasting connection, with the agent becoming a regular customer.
Small Gestures and Broader Concerns
Sankar's advocacy extends beyond criticism. He recalled sending boxes of apples as gifts for night-shift and day-shift warehouse staff at Blue Dart after they expressed interest, a practice that has now become an annual Diwali tradition for him.
He also raised serious safety concerns in 2025 after spotting a differently-abled Swiggy delivery partner in Versova operating a two-wheeler with only one arm. He flagged the issue repeatedly on social media until Swiggy's operations team assured him they would address it and move such workers to safer, alternative roles.
While Sankar acknowledged that Goyal has implemented some welfare measures for delivery partners, such as insurance cover, he remains steadfast in his objection to the demeaning language. For him, the fight is about recognising the fundamental dignity and indispensable role of the millions of gig workers who power India's digital economy.
