‘Capitalism is only system to lift us out of poverty,’ says Kunal Shah, ‘It's only engine that creates value,' backs Deepinder Goyal

CRED founder Kunal Shah urged Indian podcasters to teach the merits and demerits of capitalism (and socialism) to their audience. Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal backed him and commented that, though capitalism is not flawless, it is still the only way that creates value for society.

Kunal Shah favours capitalism, Deepinder Goyal backs him

“I urge all popular Indian podcasters in all languages to teach the merits/demerits of capitalism (and socialism) to our country,” Shah wrote on X.

“Capitalism has its flaws, but it’s the only proven system which can lift us out of poverty and make a nation worth reckoning,” he added.

Deepinder Goyal replied, “Capitalism isn’t perfect, but it’s the only engine we’ve seen that creates value. Create first, and distribute second. Reverse the order, and we distribute scarcity. Helps no one.”

Capitalism isn’t perfect, but it’s the only engine we’ve seen that creates value. Create first, and distribute second. Reverse the order, and we distribute scarcity. Helps no one. https://t.co/x9eLXKLLyF

— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) January 3, 2026

All about gig workers strike

On Wednesday, the quick commerce platform-based delivery workers affiliated with the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers (IFAT) observed a nationwide strike, protesting against unfair working conditions, low wages, and the absence of social security, intending to disrupt delivery services during peak hours.

Earlier, Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha restated his call to ban 10-minute delivery apps, claiming that the quick commerce companies have been oppressing gig workers.

Zomato’s Deepinder Goyal had defended the gig economy, arguing that it shattered centuries of invisibility for labourers, claiming that, for the first time, workers, delivery partners, riders, and others interact directly with consumers on a large scale.

He reasoned that it makes inequality personal, which is why the gig economy sparks discomfort and heated debates.

“And here’s the uncomfortable twist: the unsaid ask of clumsy ‘solutions’ isn’t dignity. It is about returning to invisibility,” Goyal wrote on X.

“Ban gig work and you don’t solve inequality. You remove livelihoods. These jobs don’t magically reappear as formal, protected employment the next day,” he added.

Naukri.com founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani backed Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal’s defence of the gig economy.  He even took a dig at the AAP MP Raghav Chadha without naming him. 

Very well written @deepigoyal Every word is true. It beggars belief that a Champagne Socialist who married a film star and had a designer wedding in Udaipur and a first wedding anniversary in Maldives has the audacity to then shed crocodile tears around alleged exploitation of… https://t.co/pgcTa0hwKy

— Sanjeev Bikhchandani (@sbikh) January 2, 2026

Also read: ‘Every doorbell ring is a reminder of systemic inequality,’ Deepinder Goyal says gig economy shattered “invisibility” of poor labourers (startuppedia.in)