HYDERABAD: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused the BJP and RSS of seeking to turn gig workers into bonded labourers, alleging that the benefits of their hard work went to billionaires and companies.
Addressing the launch of the Telangana Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Scheme, Rahul Gandhi said there were two competing ideologies in the country, one represented by the BJP-RSS and the other by the Congress. He alleged that the BJP-RSS wanted workers to toil for long hours, even at the cost of injuries or their lives.
“There are two ideologies in the 21st century. One, the BJP-RSS ideology. They want to turn you into bonded labourers; work 24 hours, toil hard, get injured or die in accidents, and ultimately, the billionaires should get the benefits, Ambani-Adani should get the benefits, Uber-Ola should get the benefits, but you should not get the benefits of your hardwork,” he said.
LIVE: Launch of the Telangana Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Scheme | Hyderabad, Telangana https://t.co/GmMx0wMUuU
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 14, 2026
Contrasting this with the Congress’s approach, Rahul Gandhi said gig workers and labourers formed the foundation of the country and that his party wanted to make them partners and ensure their protection. He said the Congress stood with gig workers and was working towards providing them insurance, payments for every transaction and dedicated spaces to rest.
“The second ideology is that of the Congress party and mine. Gig workers and labourers are the foundation of the country. We want to make gig workers our partners; we want to protect them,” he said. “The Congress party stands with you, giving you insurance, money for every transaction, a dedicated place to rest and is making an effort to make you partners,” he added.
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS, Rahul Gandhi alleged that they wanted to turn gig workers into bonded labourers and servants and sought to crush them. “On the other hand, Narendra Modi-RSS want to turn you into bonded labourers, servants; they want to crush you,” he added.
Gandhi also announced that the Telangana government would establish Wi-Fi-enabled rest zones in Hyderabad and other cities across the state to provide gig workers with dedicated spaces to take breaks during their working hours. Pointing out the difficulties faced by gig workers who travel long distances and deliver goods under the sun without designated resting facilities, he said the proposed zones would allow them to park their vehicles, sit, relax or sleep.
#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: At the launch of the Telangana Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Scheme, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, “You move across the cities of Telangana under the sun, you deliver goods, but you do not have dedicated places to rest. So, Govt of Telangana is going to set up Wi-Fi-enabled rest zones where you can park your vehicle, rest, sit, relax or sleep in Hyderabad and all cities of the state.
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2026
“You move across the cities of Telangana under the Sun; you deliver goods, but you do not have dedicated places to rest. So, the Govt of Telangana is going to set up Wi-Fi-enabled rest zones where you can park your vehicle, rest, sit, relax or sleep in Hyderabad and all cities of the state,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi said the Telangana Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Scheme will provide gig workers access to information about their work, completed rides and earnings through their mobile phones. He said that the 21st century was driven by data, with data centres being established across the country and companies such as Google, Facebook, WhatsApp and Uber relying on data for their operations.
#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: At the launch of the Telangana Gig Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Scheme, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, “I had a meeting with the gig workers of Telangana. You shared your sorrow and pain with me. At that time, I said that the Congress party, our CM and all of us had promised you that we would take steps regarding your demands and we would make every effort to help you and protect you. Today, we are fulfilling that promise…”
— ANI (@ANI) November 14, 2026
“The 21st century is the century of data. Data is discussed across the country; data centres are being set up. Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Uber – all of these function on the strength of data. But gig workers were not getting their own data in India until now,” he said.
He highlighted that despite the growing importance of data, gig workers in India had so far been unable to access information about their own work. He said the new law would grant them the right to access this information, with the Telangana government ensuring that details of the work they undertake, rides they complete and payments they receive would be accessible on their mobile phones.
“Gig workers could not see their own data…This law is going to give you the right to your own data. Govt of Telangana is giving you a guarantee that the work you do, the rides you complete, the money you are being paid for the rides will be accessible to you on your mobile phone,” Gandhi added.
Recalling his interaction with gig workers in Telangana, Rahul Gandhi said they had earlier apprised him of their difficulties and concerns. He said the Congress party, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and other leaders had assured them that steps would be taken to address their demands and provide them with support and protection. He added that the launch of the scheme marked the fulfilment of the assurance given to the workers during their earlier interaction.
तेलंगाना के गिग वर्कर्स से 2023 में लंबी मुलाकात हुई थी, विस्तार से बात हुई थी।
उन्होंने अपना दुख-दर्द, अपनी ज़रूरतें और मांगें बताई थीं। वादा था – आपकी मांगें पूरी होंगी, आपको सुरक्षा ज़रूर मिलेगी।
आज हमने वो वादा पूरा किया।
✅ ₹5 लाख दुर्घटना बीमा
✅ ₹10 लाख स्वास्थ्य बीमा
✅ कमाई का 1% पेंशन के लिए
✅ अपने डेटा और कमाई पर अधिकार
✅ जगह-जगह WiFi वाले विश्राम केंद्रये सब अब तेलंगाना के गिग वर्कर्स के कानूनी अधिकार हैं।
ये सिर्फ़ योजना नहीं, एक सोच है – हर मेहनतकश को उसका अधिकार, सम्मान और भविष्य की सुरक्षा मिलनी ही चाहिए।
और यही फ़र्क है – कांग्रेस की प्रजालु सरकार और BJP-RSS के दोरालू विचार में।
उनकी विचारधारा श्रमिक को बंधुआ बनाना चाहती है। कांग्रेस की सोच मेहनत करने वालों को अधिकार, सम्मान और सुरक्षित भविष्य दिलाती है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 14, 2026
“I had a meeting with the gig workers of Telangana. You shared your sorrow and pain with me. At that time, I said that the Congress party, our CM and all of us had promised you that we would take steps regarding your demands and we would make every effort to help you and protect you. Today, we are fulfilling that promise,” he added.
Earlier today, Rahul Gandhi, along with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and Telangana Congress President Mahesh Kumar Goud, joined a gig workers’ bike rally from Shilparamam to Jayabheri Grounds. (ANI)
