The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently barred Indian-American student Megha Vemuri from participating in her graduation ceremony. The action was taken following a pro-Palestine speech during a campus event.
Vemuri, the Class of 2025 president, was also prohibited from entering the MIT campus with her family on commencement day. It was confirmed by Chancellor Melissa Nobles.
Who is Megha Vemuri?
Born in Alpharetta, Georgia, Vemuri graduated from Alpharetta High School in 2021 before enrolling at MIT.
Recently, she earned a triple major in computer science, neuroscience, and linguistics while serving as class president.
Apart from academics, she is a member of Written Revolution which is an MIT student group. She was previously interned at South Africa’s UCT Neuroscience Institute.
Student’s Pro-Palestine speech leads to disciplinary action by MIT
During her address on May 29, Vemuri wore a red keffiyeh which is a symbol of solidarity with Palestine and criticized MIT’s research collaborations with Israel.
She accused the institute of complicity in Israel’s military actions in Gaza. She stated that the Israeli forces are the only foreign military MIT has research ties with. It makes our school part of a system aiding the assault on Palestinian lives, she added.
Chancellor Nobles responded in an email, saying that Megha Vemuri had “deliberately misled organizers” and violated campus protest policies by turning her speech into a demonstration.
While MIT acknowledged the student’s right to free expression, it deemed the disruption unacceptable for an official ceremony.
The article and headline have been updated with the latest information.
