Indian-American MIT student barred from graduation over unapproved Gaza speech

Megha Vemuri, the Class of 2025 president at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States, was denied participation in the university’s graduation ceremony after delivering an unsanctioned speech condemning the war in Gaza, according to multiple media reports.

Vemuri, who had been selected to speak at the OneMIT Commencement event on May 29, used her address to praise student activism against the war and criticize MIT’s affiliations with Israel.

Draped in a keffiyeh, a traditional scarf often used to express solidarity with Palestinians, she deviated from the approved script submitted to university officials.

"MIT supports free expression but stands by its decision, which was in response to the individual deliberately and repeatedly misleading commencement organizers and leading a protest from the stage," the university said in a statement.

MIT confirmed that she was instructed not to attend the formal graduation ceremony held the next day and was restricted from campus until the event concluded.

Vemuri, who hails from Georgia and majored in computation and cognition as well as linguistics, said the administration informed her she would still receive her diploma by mail.

“I see no need for me to walk across the stage of an institution that is complicit in this genocide,” she said.

“I am, however, disappointed that MIT’s officials massively overstepped their roles to punish me without merit or due process, with no indication of any specific policy broken,” she added.

Her father, Sarat Vemuri, also confirmed the disciplinary action taken against her and said his daughter had fulfilled all academic requirements.

The incident sparked criticism from civil rights groups. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned MIT’s response.

“MIT must respect academic freedom and respect the voices of its students, not punish and intimidate those who speak out against genocide and in support of Palestinian humanity,” said CAIR-Massachusetts Executive Director Tahirah Amatul-Wadud.

The controversy at MIT comes amid heightened tensions on US college campuses following the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023.

Student protests, encampments, and public speeches have drawn both disciplinary action and national attention.

Several universities, including NYU, Columbia, and Harvard, have faced similar situations involving students who spoke out during graduation ceremonies.

In the current academic year, MIT adopted stricter guidelines on campus protests, a shift from the previous year when demonstrations, including encampments, were more tolerated.