Zomato delivery boys across the country wore Santa Claus costumes on Christmas day, surprising customers with gifts. However, an incident in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, sparked outrage after a rider was reportedly harassed and forced to remove his festive outfit.
A widely circulated video shows the Zomato rider being questioned by an unseen individual. Reports suggest members of the Hindu Jagran Manch confronted the rider, objecting to his Santa Claus costume. In the footage, the rider explains that the costume was provided by his company for Christmas deliveries. However, the individual off-camera asks why similar gestures aren’t made during Hindu festivals.
“Why aren’t you wearing Lord Ram’s dress or saffron colored garments while making deliveries during all the Hindu festivals?” one asks. Arjun, the rider by first name, is then heard: “Arjun bhai, we are Hindus. What message are you trying to send with this Santa costume?”
Despite Arjun’s explanations, he is instructed to take off the Santa costume. The fellow speaking off-camera says, “Utaaro ye ek minute. Topi utaaro.” Ignore Arjun’s request to be allowed to keep on the company ID, which will be blocked, and take off the red jacket and trousers.
He continues, “These are the type of people who lose their sensibility for Hindu festivals but quickly celebrate Christian and Islamic ones.” The video ends with the man thanking the rider for removing the costume and saying, “Jai Shree Ram.”
A #Zomato delivery man was stopped by workers of the #HinduJagranManch and asked to remove a #SantaClaus attire he was wearing for #Christmas celebrations. The incident occurred in #MadhyaPradesh’s #Indore city.
A video of the Zomato delivery man named Arjun being questioned by… pic.twitter.com/GGQNkkgDZF
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) December 25, 2024
Social Media Backlash
Millions of views are coming in on the footages across platforms such as X, and criticism has mounted against the incident. At the same time, Zomato is receiving criticism for its silence regarding harassment faced by gig workers over the festive season. “Many are disappointed by how low-paid employees cannot have a Christmas,” a response said.
