In a controversial incident on Christmas Day in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, a food delivery agent working for Zomato was forced to remove his Santa Claus costume by a member of the Hindu Jagran Manch, a local Hindu organisation. The incident, captured on video, sparked debate over the choice of festive attire by delivery personnel.
The video, widely shared online, showed the delivery agent dressed as Santa Claus, seated on his motorcycle while being interrogated by a man about his costume. The man, identified as a member of the Hindu Jagran Manch, questioned the agent, asking, “Do you ever go to people’s homes dressed as Lord Ram on Diwali?” In response, the agent explained, “No, but now the company has asked me to wear this costume.” Shortly after, the agent was made to remove the festive attire.
Watch the video here:
Hardia defends his actions
As per reports, Sumit Hardia, the district convenor of the Hindu Jagran Manch, defended the actions, saying that such costumes were inappropriate for a predominantly Hindu locality. He questioned the rationale behind requiring delivery agents to don Santa Claus costumes, suggesting that such practices are limited to non-Hindu festivals.
“Both Indore and India are Hindu majority. Why are delivery agents allowed to enter homes in such costumes? Have they ever worn saffron costumes during Hindu festivals like Hanuman Jayanti, Ram Navami, or Diwali?” Hardia asked while speaking to reporters.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some criticising the group’s actions as unnecessary interference and others supporting the emphasis on cultural sensitivities. Zomato has yet to comment on the matter.
