Protesters repurpose food apps for social aid
Protesters in India are receiving support from anonymous donors using food delivery apps like Swiggy and Zomato to send meals to those participating in the protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
A similar phenomenon occurred in Indonesia in 2025, where people from neighboring countries used food delivery apps to order food for delivery riders participating in protests.
Swiggy and Zomato have become tools for supporters to contribute to the protest movement, with many placing orders and instructing delivery partners to distribute the items free of cost among protesters.
Pradeep Kumar Singh, a Swiggy delivery partner, said that Jantar Mantar has become a frequent destination for such orders, with customers instructing him to distribute the food to whoever needs it.
In Indonesia, people from Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand used food delivery apps like Grab and Gojek to order food for delivery riders participating in protests.
A 34-year-old woman from the Philippines ordered food and supplies for delivery riders in Jakarta, saying she felt a need to help them after using their services during her travels.
Taufik, a delivery rider in West Jakarta, received an order from a user in Singapore and said that such orders were “really helpful” as business had been quiet since the protests began.
The use of food delivery apps in protests represents a broader trend where digital platforms are being repurposed for civic engagement, with the Jantar Mantar protest seeing delivery partners arriving not just with food, but with a sense of participation.
Neg Singh, a motorbike courier, said that he had already made 19 trips to the protest site and felt “deeply connected” to the protest, supporting it wholeheartedly.
The digital dimension extends beyond food delivery, with social media platforms being used to coordinate support, share information, and amplify the movement’s demands.
As digital platforms continue to integrate into daily life, their role in civic engagement is likely to expand, with the CJP protests potentially being remembered as a significant moment in India‘s move towards a more green shift in various sectors.
The use of food delivery platforms for protest support raises several considerations, including the challenges faced by delivery partners and the potential for logistical issues, as seen when the CJP had to appeal to supporters to stop sending food due to the overwhelming scale of support.
In the United States, drivers have used online protests to pressure companies to address issues such as low wages and lack of benefits, highlighting the growing trend of digital activism.
Technology continues to reshape how movements organise and sustain themselves.
The role of digital platforms in civic engagement will likely become even more significant, with food delivery apps, social media, and online petitions becoming essential tools for protesters and supporters alike, similar to how strategies to improve foot traffic can be applied to increase support.
