In a harrowing turn of events, Mehul Prajapati, an Indian student living/studying in Canada (also an Instagrammer), found himself at the center of a relentless barrage of negativity and hate after false allegations surfaced on social media platforms, swiftly spreading to major news websites across the country.
The Indian-origin “data scientist” faced termination from his job after posting a video explaining how he accessed free food from food banks meant for students in Canada. Mehul Prajapati, allegedly employed at TD Bank in Canada, shared his method of saving “hundreds of bucks” monthly on groceries through these food banks. Prajapati displayed his weekly food haul, which included fruits, vegetables, bread, sauces, pasta, and canned goods.
The video, originally posted on Instagram, gained traction after another user reposted it, criticizing Prajapati’s actions. This netizen ended up “doxxing” Prajapati over his “food bandit” actions and claimed he was a data scientist. The netizen with the handle “@Slatzism” wrote, ”This guy has a job as a bank data scientist for @TD_Canada, a position that averages $98,000 per year, and proudly uploaded this video showing how much “free food” he gets from charity food banks.”
this guy has a job as a bank data scientist for @TD_Canada, a position that averages $98,000 per year, and proudly uploaded this video showing how much “free food” he gets from charity food banks.
you don’t hate them enough. pic.twitter.com/mUIGQnlYu6
— pagliacci the hated 🌝 (@Slatzism) April 20, 2024
Tagging the supposed employer, the netizen later updated the post stating, “Update: the food bank bandit was fired.” The user also posted a screenshot of an email from the bank confirming that the “individual named in the video no longer works at TD“.
update: the food bank bandit was fired https://t.co/RFLqvVGJb1 pic.twitter.com/CDdrfrmbqI
— pagliacci the hated 🌝 (@Slatzism) April 22, 2024
What Is The Truth?
Mehul Prajapati, 26, a student of a master’s degree at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, initially intended to offer insights into his life in Canada to assist fellow students but faced a barrage of hate and false allegations following the video’s circulation on platforms like X and Reddit.
Despite garnering only 4,000 views and three comments from his modest following on Instagram, the video was downloaded and shared by @Slatzism, tarnishing Prajapati’s reputation as a “thief” and “freeloader.” The ensuing backlash inundated him with hate messages, some even threatening him to leave Canada.
However, an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol revealed the truth. Prajapati was not exploiting government-run food banks meant for the underprivileged; instead, he was participating in a legitimate program offered by Wilfrid Laurier University. Collaborating with LSPIRG and Martin Luther University College, the initiative provided free groceries to students facing food insecurity.
Prajapati’s involvement in the program was misconstrued, fueling the online frenzy, despite his video solely referencing his college’s food assistance program. The program’s details were available on the college website, specifying eligibility criteria for students to access free groceries and essentials.
@Slatzism, a social media user, acted as the catalyst for Prajapati’s ordeal by amplifying misconceptions surrounding his video.
Even in the absence of verifiable evidence, @Slatzism’s actions triggered unwarranted repercussions. The individual behind the account located Prajapati’s Instagram and LinkedIn profiles, where TD Bank was listed, and went to great lengths by emailing the bank – Prajapati’s purported employer – with the intent of getting him “fired”.
Prajapati was never employed by the bank. He completed a 17-week internship at the bank as part of his college curriculum, which requires him to undertake two mandatory internships. His internship concluded in December 2023. Moneycontrol has verified the documents supporting his internship.
Contrary to @Slatzism’s claim of earning Canadian Dollars 98,000 (₹59 lakh) and being a bank employee, Prajapati was neither employed nor paid by TD Bank. Therefore, he was not terminated from his position. So, why did TD Bank inform @Slatzism that he “no longer works at TD”? Simply put, because he never worked there. The bank’s email did not mention termination; it only stated the factual information that he was not an employee. However, @Slatzism misinterpreted this, labeling Prajapati as a “food bank bandit” and spreading misinformation.
Speaking to Moneycontrol over the phone, Mehul shared the profound impact the incident had on his mental well-being.
“Hearing my phone notification would scare me. I stayed locked up at home for six days, worried about my safety and dealing with feeling alone and unsupported. Nobody seemed to want to hear my side; they just believed false things about me that ruined the reputation I worked 25 years to build, all in just a few moments,“ Mehul narrated.
Reflecting on his traumatic experience, Mehul expressed dismay at the ease with which misinformation spreads online. He lamented the lack of inquiry into his side of the story, emphasizing that crucial details were overlooked amidst the frenzy.
“This experience taught me a hard lesson: not everything you see on the internet is true. Often, the real story is very different from what people assume. This is the dark side of social media and the internet; it can either make you a hero or a zero in the click of a time,” he added.
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