Misinformation can spread rapidly on social media, and Mehul Prajapati's experience is a stark reminder of its impacts. Prajapati, a 26-year-old Indian student in Canada, originally produced videos to help his peers by sharing insights into his life abroad. However, his well-intentioned initiative quickly devolved into a nightmare of controversy and baseless accusations after one of his videos went viral.

Two months ago, Prajapati posted a video on Instagram, where he has 1,500 followers, to demonstrate how students could access free food provided by his university. The video, initially receiving a modest 4,000 views and three comments, was downloaded and spread across other platforms like X and Reddit. This exposure twisted his intentions, branding him unfairly as a "thief" and a "freeloader."

The situation escalated as Prajapati was bombarded with hate messages. Compounding his troubles were the rumors that he had been fired from his position at the Canadian bank TD. These allegations not only misrepresented his actions but also threatened to derail his career and studies in Canada.

This story underscores the vulnerability of international students like Prajapati, who face significant challenges and misunderstandings far from home. It's imperative to question the narratives spun on social media and to seek truth amidst the quick-to-judge culture that pervades our digital world. As we advocate for the fair treatment of Indian students abroad, it's crucial to highlight the importance of accurate information and to support those who are unjustly maligned.

Indian Student in Canada, Viral for Food Bank Video, Sets Record Straight, Debunks Fake News About His 'Sacking'

In reality, the situation surrounding Mehul Prajapati was not as it was portrayed in the viral storm. During an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Prajapati was able to clarify the misconceptions, providing documents that supported his case.

Contrary to what was widely circulated, Prajapati was not stealing from any government-run food banks that are designed to help the underprivileged.

Instead, he was participating in a recognized program offered by Wilfrid Laurier University, where he is studying for his Master's degree. This program, a joint effort with LSPIRG and Martin Luther University College, is intended to assist students who struggle with food insecurity by providing them with free groceries.

The confusion arose partly because in his video, Prajapati did not claim to be accessing government-run food banks; he specifically mentioned the resources available through his college. This key detail was overlooked, leading to the rampant mischaracterization of his actions online.

Further clarity on the situation is provided by the college's own website, which details the program Prajapati participated in. It states: "LSPIRG and Martin Luther University College welcome you to our Free Weekly Distro program to combat food insecurity on campus. We provide free groceries and other essentials for Laurier and Luther students who need them." To access these resources, students must be enrolled at either college and must present proper identification.

The misunderstanding that led to Mehul Prajapati’s distress began with a social media user, known as @Slatzism, who played a key role in spreading false information about Prajapati’s actions.

@Slatzism, without any solid evidence, escalated the situation by tracking down Prajapati’s social media profiles on Instagram and LinkedIn. Discovering that he had TD Bank listed on his LinkedIn profile, @Slatzism took drastic measures by contacting the bank via email, attempting to have Prajapati dismissed from his position.

However, a crucial piece of information was overlooked in this rush to judgment. Prajapati was never a full-time employee of the bank. He had only been an intern there for 17 weeks, a requirement of his college coursework which mandates two internships. His internship had concluded in December 2023. This information has been corroborated by Moneycontrol, which has verified the documents related to his internship, confirming the factual basis of Prajapati's situation and clearing up the inaccuracies that led to his public vilification.

Amidst the swirling rumors, an incorrect claim made by @Slatzism stated that Mehul Prajapati was paid a salary of Canadian Dollars 98,000 (approximately Rs 59 lakh), which was supposedly the median salary at TD Bank. However, this was a misrepresentation of Prajapati's status. He was not an employee at the bank, and thus, he was certainly not fired.

TD Bank's response to @Slatzism's inquiry confirmed only that Prajapati "no longer works at TD," a statement reflecting the reality that he was not currently employed there because his internship had ended, not because he had been dismissed. This subtle but critical distinction was manipulated by @Slatzism, who used the bank's reply to falsely label Prajapati as a "food bank bandit" and spread the erroneous information that he was sacked, sharing this claim on social media platform X.

A few of the hate messages Mehul Prajapati has been receiving in his inbox from Indians and Canadians - moneycontrol.com

The repercussions for Prajapati were severe. The intensity of the threats and hostility he faced forced him to withdraw from public online life and confine himself to his home starting from the previous Friday.

Throughout this ordeal, Wilfrid Laurier University stood by Prajapati, dismissing any claims of misconduct against him. Local law enforcement also got involved, recommending that he exercise caution given the circumstances. Despite this support, Prajapati's situation remained dire. Alone in a foreign country without a local support network and far from his family in India, his anxiety and stress were significantly amplified, making the entire experience even more challenging to navigate.

Mehul Prajapati's journey from Ahmedabad to Canada in 2022 was driven by the pursuit of better educational opportunities. However, the reality of living expenses in Canada, which have been steadily increasing, prompted him to find jobs on campus to support himself financially. He pays $800 monthly for a room he shares with flatmates and has mentioned that he manages to save about $100 a month, thanks to a college program utilized by many students on campus.

Prajapati's involvement with the college’s food program was not only as a beneficiary but also as a volunteer. His primary intention was to help other struggling students at his college take advantage of the program, especially given the high cost of living in Canada.

Facing financial hurdles right from the start, Prajapati was unable to secure a bank loan in India to fund his studies due to the lack of collateral. Consequently, he had to depend on his family and relatives who provided him with the necessary funds, albeit with interest. This background underscores the significance of the free food program at his college, which provided essential support amid his financial struggles.

In a conversation with the media, Mehul Prajapati’s brother Rahul, based in Ahmedabad, shared his ongoing efforts to help clear his brother's name. Rahul explained that Mehul is thousands of kilometers away, grappling with anxiety and unable to immediately return home due to safety concerns.

This ordeal has starkly highlighted the dangers of social media for Prajapati, showcasing how quickly misinformation can destroy reputations and provoke severe hostility. Moneycontrol has seen numerous hate messages directed at Mehul, with warnings for him to "be careful," threats of being "tracked down," and xenophobic demands to "go back to your country."

To escape the overwhelming negativity and hostility, Mehul made the decision to deactivate all his social media accounts. This drastic step followed the explosion of misinformation that began on Reddit on Friday and quickly escalated, spreading across major news websites in India and fueling the fire of public scrutiny and condemnation. This chain of events underscores the profound impact of social media on individuals, particularly when misinformation is allowed to spread unchecked.

In a poignant conversation with Moneycontrol, Mehul Prajapati shared the severe impact of the online harassment he faced. "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," he expressed.

Mehul reflected on the disturbing ease with which misinformation can spread online. He noted that nobody took the time to ask him for his version of events, to logically question the feasibility of a student holding a full-time job, or to scrutinize whether his video pertained to a government-run food bank or a college program. This lack of critical engagement with the facts has only added to his frustrations and feelings of isolation.

This experience has been a harsh lesson in the dangers of digital platforms where speed and sensationalism often overshadow accuracy and empathy, leaving little room for the affected individuals to defend themselves effectively.

Mehul Prajapati's ordeal has been an eye-opening experience about the power and peril of the digital age. "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 the dark side of social media and internet either can make you hero or zero in a click of time," he explained during the interview.

Now regularly experiencing anxiety attacks, Mehul's immediate wish is to return to his home in India to recover and spend time with his family. However, even this small comfort is currently out of reach. He remains confined to his house in Canada, overwhelmed by fear for his personal safety. This situation highlights the stark reality many face when their lives are unjustly thrust into the harsh spotlight of viral social media controversy—caught in a whirlwind of misinformation and fear that can disrupt lives and impede the sense of security and belonging in a foreign land.

The recent surge in hostility towards Indian students, exacerbated by widespread disinformation and the controversial actions of public figures on platforms like X, including Elon Musk, has escalated to a critical point. The situation around Mehul Prajapati has brought to light the alarming implications of such online conduct. There are claims that "Elon Musk should be held responsible if anything happens to Mehul Prajapati's life." This sentiment reflects the intensity of the current environment where social media can significantly endanger personal safety.

The narrative extends beyond just individual experiences to a broader critique of the value and safety of studying abroad, particularly in countries like Canada. There is a growing disillusionment with foreign universities, which are seen to offer "worthless degrees for thousands of dollars" while allegedly funding academics who may harbor and propagate negative sentiments towards international students and their countries of origin. This perspective is fueled by hashtags like #SocialMedia, highlighting calls for violence and emphasizing that the risks may outweigh the benefits of such educational endeavors.

These developments urge a reconsideration of the perceived advantages of overseas education, suggesting a potential retreat from such institutions that are accused of not only failing to protect their students but also exploiting them financially and culturally.