Kamaraj, or the Zomato delivery boy, as he is now popularly known, recently gave a  statement, sharing his side of the story in complete detail for the first time.

© Viral Bhayani

In a video that went viral across social media on the 13th of March, Kamaraj, laid down his side of the story in some great detail and then some. 

© IANS

A few days before this, he had released a statement, in which he had denied the accusations that Hitesha Chandranee, the beauty influencer from Bengaluru had levied against him.

© IANS

In the new video, Kamaraj reiterates his side of the story, of how the incident went down and appealed for help in getting back to his normal life.

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In the video, Kamaraj stated that he took up this job because his father, who was a lawyer, died 15 years ago, because of which he couldn’t finish his education. He also said that he is the sole breadwinner of his family and that his mother is diabetic.

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As per their policy, Zomato has suspended Kamaraj from active service, but are also covering his legal costs, and apparently his earnings as well. 

In the video, he can be seen imploring, asking people that instead of being social media vigilantes, let the truth prevail, and not to judge him, simply because he is a man, being accused by a woman.

Kamaraj, who has been granted conditional bail, can also be seen imploring that he is allowed to go back to his job, and that he just wants to put this incident behind him.

When the incident was first reported, the public sentiment was favouring Hitesha Chandranee. Ever since Kamaraj put out his responses, there has been a tectonic shift in sentiment, with people on Twitter now convinced that the delivery boy is innocent and that he should be reinstated by Zomato immediately.

There should not be half-hearted Treatment with the delivery boy #Kamaraj.

Once again put #Kamaraj back on his Job...
There should be strict action against the Accused.@zomatoin @deepigoyal @zomatocare @zomato pic.twitter.com/uccvdo4Uw8

— Badshah Khan (@bsk_here) March 14, 2021

How do you sleep at night after harassing and insulting a poor delivery boy? Remember there is Karma and it will get you for your arrogant and devilish behavior towards a poor man who works hard for a living.

— Pamela George (@pamelag2000) March 14, 2021

@deepigoyal Please don’t remove him from job until and unless the truth comes out. I am also a zomato delivery boy in Panvel,Navi Mumbai. In this pandemic no jobs are available. I know how he can feel if you suspend like this without knowing the truth. Humanity is first priority.

— Shoaib Parkar (@Sparkar38) March 14, 2021

All of this reignited the debate around the need for gender-neutral laws, with several people and MRA groups, posting something along these lines - 

.#ZomatoDeliveryBoy
He is the only earning man in his family & he lost his job bec of false allegation & hastiness by people in passing judgment! We hope considering his side of story, @zomato @zomatoin will now re-hire him & he will be treated with all dignity.#JusticeForKamaraj pic.twitter.com/o520rvZ4Lu

— Youth Against Rape ® (@yaifoundations) March 13, 2021

.#ZomatoDeliveryBoy
He is the only earning man in his family & he lost his job bec of false allegation & hastiness by people in passing judgment! We hope considering his side of story, @zomato @zomatoin will now re-hire him & he will be treated with all dignity.#JusticeForKamaraj pic.twitter.com/o520rvZ4Lu

— Youth Against Rape ® (@yaifoundations) March 13, 2021

Zomato and Bengaluru police are still investigating the incident, so the story is only going to get murkier before we see a resolution. Zomato, who are covering the medical costs of Hitesha, as well as the legal costs being incurred by Kamaraja, have stated that the delivery man has completed over 5000 deliveries, and has a rating of 4.75 stars, which is a rarity.

I want to chime in about the incident that happened in Bengaluru a few days ago. @zomato pic.twitter.com/8mM9prpMsx

— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) March 12, 2021

Irrespective of which side of the fence you’re on, one thing is very clear. Never demand free food, especially when you’re in a position to pay for it. We have heard countless stories of food delivery boys being overworked, and sometimes, underpaid. 

Refusing to pay a delivery boy for food that you have ordered, knowing that the due amount will be deducted from his salary, is not just reckless, but reeks of privilege, and how blind one is to their socio-economic privilege.

Where do you guys stand on the issue? Do let us know in the comments below.

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