AAP’s Raghav Chadha Turns Blinkit Delivery Agent for a Day Amid Gig Workers’ Row
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AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Monday stepped into the shoes of a Blinkit delivery partner for a day, sharing a video of the experience on social media to highlight the working conditions of gig workers in India’s fast-growing quick-commerce sector. The move comes amid an ongoing debate and protests over pay, safety, and job security for delivery workers across major platforms.
In the video, Chadha is seen wearing Blinkit’s yellow uniform, helmet on, riding pillion on a delivery agent’s motorbike as they complete orders across the city, mirroring a regular shift on the platform.
Why Chadha Did It
Chadha said the exercise was meant to understand the ground realities faced by delivery partners — an issue he has consistently raised in Parliament and public forums. Sharing the video, he wrote, “Away from boardrooms, at the grassroots. I lived their day.”
His outreach comes at a time when gig workers are demanding a policy overhaul, including an end to ultra-fast delivery models such as 10-minute deliveries, which workers argue increase pressure, compromise safety, and encourage risky behaviour on roads.
Focus on Gig Economy Reforms
The AAP MP has been among the most vocal political figures on gig workers’ rights in recent months. Earlier, he hosted a delivery agent for lunch and publicly discussed issues such as low pay, lack of social security, unpredictable rules, and safety concerns.
Chadha has sharply criticised quick-commerce and food delivery platforms, arguing that if companies require police support to function during strikes, it signals deeper flaws in the business model.
Clash With Platform Management
His comments followed remarks by Zomato and Blinkit founder Deepinder Goyal, who during recent strikes described protesting delivery workers as “miscreants” while defending the job creation role of platforms. Chadha strongly objected to this characterisation.
“Delivery partners across India went on strike demanding basic dignity, fair pay, safety, predictable rules and social security. Calling them miscreants is not just insulting, it is dangerous,” Chadha said, adding that “workers asking for fair pay are not criminals.”
Continuing the Fight
After strikes failed to significantly disrupt New Year’s Eve deliveries, Goyal said operations ran at record pace with support from local law enforcement. Chadha responded by reiterating that he had already raised gig worker issues during the winter session of Parliament and would continue to pursue reforms both inside and outside the House.
Our Thoughts
Raghav Chadha’s gesture may be symbolic, but it has brought renewed visibility to the challenges faced by gig workers. As India’s platform economy expands rapidly, the debate is shifting from job creation alone to dignity, safety, and accountability — questions policymakers can no longer afford to ignore.