The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has prohibited Indian-American student Megha Vemuri from participating in its graduation ceremony after she spoke in support of Palestine at an event last Thursday.
Megha, president of MIT’s Class of 2025, was set to serve as the chief marshal at the commencement, reports The Boston Globe.
MIT Chancellor Melissa Nobles confirmed that Megha is not allowed to attend the ceremony and said that she and her family will be restricted from accessing the campus for most of the day.
During Friday's ceremony, Chancellor Melissa Nobles was forced to pause her speech as student protesters loudly chanted in opposition to the ban on Megha Vemuri.
Attempting to regain control, Nobles addressed the crowd: “Excuse me, I respect that you have a message to send, but this is not the time or place. Today is about our graduates and their families. Please respect them and allow me to continue,” reports The Times of India.
In an email, Chancellor Nobles accused Megha of “deliberately and repeatedly misleading graduation organizers.” While affirming MIT’s commitment to free expression, Nobles said Megha disrupted a significant event by protesting on stage, violating established guidelines regarding time, place, and manner.
Wearing a red keffiyeh, a symbol of solidarity with Palestine, Megha condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza and criticized MIT’s collaboration with the Israeli military. She urged fellow students to join anti-Israel demonstrations.
“MIT is collaborating with a foreign military—Israel’s military,” she said. “That means our institution, not just our country, is complicit in attacks on Palestinians.”
She further said: “We are witnessing Israel’s attempt to erase Palestine from the map. It’s shameful that MIT is involved in this.”
Citing student activism, Megha said: “Last spring, MIT’s undergraduate and graduate unions voted to cut ties with the Israeli military. You supported a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and stood with those on campus backing Palestine.”
Born and raised in Alpharetta, Georgia, Megha Vemuri graduated from Alpharetta High School in 2021 and joined MIT the same year. She recently completed degrees in computer science, neuroscience, and linguistics, and served as class president.
She is also part of Written Revolution, an MIT student group known for promoting radical thought, and previously worked as a research assistant at the Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
