Job duty or Human decency? Zomato agent’s doorstep delivery video sparks debate

A Bengaluru-based food delivery agent has ignited a widespread debate on social media after sharing a video that sheds light on the everyday challenges of doorstep delivery in large residential complexes. The clip, posted on Instagram by Zomato delivery agent Arjun Sethi, has gone viral, drawing both support and criticism from netizens.

In the video, Sethi documents the lengthy walk he was forced to take inside a gated villa community to deliver an order. According to him, security guards did not permit entry of delivery vehicles beyond the gate, leaving him to walk several hundred metres to reach the customer’s home. When he requested the customer to meet him halfway, Sethi claimed the request was refused, with the customer insisting on doorstep delivery.

‘Where Is Basic Courtesy?’

Sethi expressed disappointment over what he described as a lack of basic courtesy. He said the customer neither acknowledged the physical effort involved nor showed concern for his well-being after the long walk. Highlighting the physical strain of such deliveries, he questioned the dignity and respect afforded to delivery workers. He also pointed to platform policies that prioritise customer instructions, often leaving delivery agents with little flexibility.

In the caption accompanying the post, Sethi urged people to respect delivery workers, noting that delivery jobs are far more physically demanding than they appear.

Internet Divided Over Responsibility and Empathy

The video triggered mixed reactions online. While some argued that doorstep delivery is part of the job customers pay for, others stressed that the issue was not about job roles but about empathy and humane treatment. Several users struck a middle ground, acknowledging that while it is his responsibility, kindness still matters.

The viral video has reopened a larger conversation about dignity of labour in the gig economy. As opinions remain divided, the episode serves as a reminder that behind every delivery is a human effort, one that deserves understanding, if not always agreement.