Delivery staff of online food company Zomato went on an indefinite strike in West Bengal's Howrah on Sunday, 11 August, alleging that they were made to deliver beef and pork dishes against their will.
In a statement late on Sunday, Zomato said, "a small group of partners" have raised concerns and that in a “country as diverse as India, it is impossible to ensure that vegetarian and non-vegetarian preferences are factored into delivery logistics.”
More protesters are expected to join the agitation on Monday, a News18 report said.
"Zomato ki dadagiri nahi chalegi," was among the slogans raised by the protester, ANI reported.
"We are on strike due to our payment rates and we have to deliver beef food items, which is against our religious sentiments. We are not going to do it," one of the protesters said on Sunday, reported IANS.
They complain that the company is not paying heed to their religious beliefs, the report added.
"The company is not listening to our demands and forcing us to deliver beef and pork against our will. Hindus have a problem in delivering beef while Muslims do not want to deliver pork. Our Hindu friends are having a problem in delivering beef and they are denying doing so. It's been heard that in few days we have to deliver pork, which we have also refused to do,” Mausin Akhtar, another protester, told ANI.
Akhtar further said:
“We are not ready to deliver such things on any condition. We are forced to deliver such things. The company has also rolled back our payout. We have been on strike for a week now.”
Akhtar reportedly demanded the company to “immediately stop the beef delivering service” and also sought a revision of their salaries.
‘Impossible to Factor Veg, Non-Veg Into Delivery Logistics’: Zomato
Zomato, in its statement, said "a small group of partners" have raised concerns and it was looking to resolve the issue.
"In a country as diverse as India, it is impossible to ensure that vegetarian and non-vegetarian preferences are factored into delivery logistics. Delivery partners are unequivocally made to understand the practical nature of the job as they choose to enter the workforce.
"All our partners understand this fully. There is a small group of partners in Howrah who have raised concerns and we are looking to resolve the issue as quickly as possible," a company spokesperson said.
Last month, the food delivery app was in the news after a customer declined to receive an order which was being delivered by a non-Hindu rider. The company had supported its employee.
‘Is It 1857 Again?’ Ask Tweeple
Social media users, meanwhile, compared the Zomato delivery executives’ protest to the revolt of 1857. While some questioned why the staffers joined a delivery company if they had problem delivering certain kinds of food, others slammed the company for disregarding its workers’ beliefs.
A Twitter user said, “Zomato should understand the sentiments and not behave like East India Company.”
"Is this how history repeats itself...as a bit of a farce?” asked another user.
State Irrigation Minister Backs Protesters
State Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee has reportedly backed the protesters.
“I strongly oppose the management’s decision as hurting people’s religious sentiments is unacceptable. I fully support their protest as the management should agree with them, otherwise there can be a big problem.”Rajib Banerjee, as quoted by IANS
The minister told the agency that he has made it very clear that the delivery executives will get his full support, and assured that he will look into the matter while also taking required steps.
(With inputs from News 18, IANS and ANI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)