The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) banned Indian-American Class of 2025 president Megha Vemuri from participating in the official graduation commencement ceremony on Friday for her pro-Palestine speech during a campus event earlier.
Without naming the student, the university announced disciplinary action against her by issuing a statement.
“While that individual had a scheduled role at today’s Undergraduate Degree Ceremony, she was notified that she would not be permitted at today’s events,” MIT spokesperson Kimberly Allen was quoted as saying by India Today.
“MIT supports free expression but stands by its decision, which was in response to the individual deliberately and repeatedly misleading Commencement organisers and leading a protest from the stage, disrupting an important Institute ceremony,” the spokesperson further said.
Vemuri’s speech went viral online.
In the speech delivered on Thursday’s OneMIT commencement event, the Indian-American student was seen wearing a traditional keffiyeh, an attire to show solidarity with Palestinians, and condemned MIT’s collaboration with Israeli military.
“The students of MIT will not tolerate genocide,” she was quoted as saying by India Today.
