Jignesh Mevani

Jignesh Mevani, born on December 11, 1982, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is an Indian politician, social activist, and Member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly representing the Vadgam constituency. Mevani rose to prominence as a Dalit rights activist following the 2016 Una flogging incident, where he led protests advocating for the rights and dignity of Dalits in Gujarat and across India. He has been a vocal advocate for social justice, focusing on issues like land rights, education, healthcare, and employment for marginalized communities.

Mevani, a lawyer by training, contested the 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections as an independent candidate with support from the Indian National Congress. His political approach is centered on grassroots activism, and he has frequently organized protests and campaigns addressing caste-based violence, atrocities against minorities, and government accountability. Known for his fiery speeches and bold stances, Mevani continues to challenge the socio-political status quo, aiming to empower the underprivileged through legislative and social activism.

In May 2019, BOOM fact-checked a viral child abuse video that Mevani shared on Twitter, claiming it depicted a teacher torturing a student in Valsad, Gujarat. Mevani tagged the Prime Minister’s Office in the tweet, demanding action.

BOOM found out that the video was actually from Syria, not Gujarat, debunking the claim and clarifying the misleading context of the tweet.