‘Hostages with Helmets’: Raghav Chadha Takes On Delivery Platforms Over Gig Workers’ Rights

Chadha’s Sharp Rebuttal on X

In a detailed post on X, Chadha accused delivery platforms of undermining legitimate labour demands by portraying protesting workers as a law-and-order issue. Without naming any executive, he criticised the narrative that labelled striking delivery partners as “miscreants,” calling it insulting and harmful.

According to Chadha, workers across India went on strike to demand basic dignity, fair wages, safety, predictable work conditions, and social security—issues he said were deliberately reframed by companies to divert attention from systemic problems.

“Not Employees, But Hostages”

One of Chadha’s strongest remarks drew widespread attention when he stated that if companies required police intervention to keep workers delivering orders, it exposed a deeper flaw in the system. He argued that workers asking for fair pay were not criminals and likened the situation to “hostages with helmets,” highlighting the power imbalance in gig work.

Questioning the ‘Voluntary Choice’ Argument

Chadha also challenged the claim that a system must be fair because it attracts large numbers of workers. He compared this logic to feudal-era practices that survived for centuries despite being unjust, suggesting longevity alone does not justify exploitation.

Allegations of PR Campaigns

The MP further alleged that delivery platforms ran coordinated public relations campaigns against the striking workers and their supporters. He claimed that influencers, hashtags, and narratives were paid for, while the workers at the centre of the controversy continued to wait for fair compensation.

Chadha added that online attacks had even turned personal, targeting his family and lifestyle. He said such tactics reflected a lack of genuine answers and questioned the transparency of algorithms that determine workers’ pay.

What the Platforms Said

Earlier, a senior delivery platform executive had stated that operations continued smoothly despite calls for strikes, crediting local law enforcement for maintaining order. The executive argued that if the system were fundamentally unfair, it would not attract or retain such a large workforce, describing the gig economy as a major engine of job creation.

Chadha’s Stand: Inside and Outside Parliament

Reiterating that he had already raised gig worker concerns during the winter session of Parliament, Chadha vowed to continue the fight both inside and outside the House. He emphasised that workers who built these platforms “order by order, kilometre by kilometre” deserved respect, not criminalisation.

Opposition to 10-Minute Delivery Models

Chadha has also consistently opposed ultra-fast delivery promises, calling them cruel and dangerous. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha earlier, he urged lawmakers to remember that delivery workers are not machines but individuals with families, warning that unrealistic deadlines put lives at risk.

As debates around gig work intensify, Chadha’s comments have added political momentum to demands for stronger protections, accountability, and humane working conditions in India’s rapidly growing delivery economy.