This story is from August 2, 2019

Zomato row: Dabbawallahs demand action against Jabalpur food bigot

Zomato row: Dabbawallahs demand action against Jabalpur food bigot
Picture for representational purpose only.
MUMBAI: The Mumbai Dabbawallahs Association has decried the discriminatory behaviour by a Jabalpur resident Amit Shukla to cancel a food parcel order from Zomato because the delivery boy Faiyaz was Muslim. The organisation has demanded punitive action against the customer.
Subhash Talekar who heads the tiffin carriers' association said, "Food has no religion.
It is condemnable to cancel a food order on religious grounds. This act must be treated as a criminal offence and the authorities should take punitive action against the offender."
"Any employee of a food delivery service, whichever faith he follows, works to support his family and himself."
Irrespective of the fact that the dabbawallahs of Mumbai all belong to the Maratha community, they stand united with their Muslim brothers, said Talekar. "Our customer base in Mumbai is as diverse as one can imagine. In Walkeshwar, Colaba and Gamdevi we have Parsi customers, in Bhendi Bazar, Mohammed Ali Road and Null Bazar we despatch dabbas to mostly Muslims. In Byculla and Mazgaon so many clients are Christian, and in Mumbadevi, Zaveri Bazar and Bhuleshwar we cater to a large population of Jains."
Apart from citing the fact that restaurant kitchens employ people of all faiths, Talekar demanded to know if bigots like Shukla would refuse help from Muslims if they were faced with a life-threatening situation.
Meanwhile, Jabalpur police have issued a notice to Shukla, said Amit Singh, Superintendent of Police. "We have issued a notice. It will be served to Amit Shukla. He will be warned that if he tweets anything which is against the ideals of the (Indian) Constitution, action will be taken. He is under surveillance," the officer told ANI. Police have also reportedly sought a written undertaking from Shukla that he will not spread religious hatred.
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