Indian-origin man in Canada brags about getting ‘free food’ at food banks, fired after video goes viral

Ottawa: An Indian-origin data scientist employed at Canada’s TD Bank, Mehul Prajapati, faced termination from his job after a video surfaced online showing him boasting about obtaining free groceries from food banks meant for struggling students. Prajapati, who worked as a data scientist, shared a video on social media explaining how he saved money by exploiting the resources meant for those in need.

In the video, Prajapati showcased a week’s worth of groceries he obtained from food banks, including fruits, vegetables, bread, and canned goods. In the video, Prajapati claimed that he saved “hundreds of bucks” each month on groceries by using the food banks.

Prajapati’s action draws criticism on social media

The actions of Prajapati sparked outrage on social media platforms, with many criticising him for taking advantage of resources intended for low-income families and students facing financial difficulties.

“People online pointed out that Prajapati’s salary, reportedly around $98,000 per year, meant he did not need to rely on food banks intended for struggling students,” said one user.

Following the widespread criticism, TD Bank confirmed that Prajapati no longer worked for the company. A social media user who shared the original video posted an update confirming Prajapati’s termination, which was supported by a screenshot of an email from the bank.

update: the food bank bandit was fired https://t.co/RFLqvVGJb1 pic.twitter.com/CDdrfrmbqI

— pagliacci the hated 🌝 (@Slatzism) April 22, 2024

While some condemned Prajapati’s actions, others expressed sympathy towards him, acknowledging the potential consequences of his job loss. “Ah, this is sad. He made a mistake, but what is he going to do now that he’s jobless?” said one user.

However, questions about the legality of Prajapati’s actions were raised on social media. “Isn’t this some form of felony? Surely it shouldn’t be legal to access food assistance if you are proven to be paid enough to feed yourself?” questioned one user.

The incident also sparked discussions about food waste, with some arguing that excess food could be redirected to those in need rather than being discarded. “Also, there is enough food to go round — just look at how much is wasted every day. A fraction of a restaurant’s waste covers this take tenfold,” said a user.