Megha Vemuri, an Indian-origin student leader at MIT, was blocked from participating in her own graduation ceremony after using a campus stage to make a pro-Palestinian statement—sparking controversy over free speech and institutional boundaries at one of the top tech schools in the United States.
The incident has sparked widespread debate about free speech and campus protest policies at leading U.S. universities.
Vemuri, who was scheduled to serve as a student marshal at MIT’s commencement, was informed by Chancellor Melissa Nobles that she would not be allowed to participate in the ceremony and that her family would also be barred from the campus for much of graduation day.
“You deliberately and repeatedly misled Commencement organizers,” Nobles wrote to Vemuri in an email quoted by The Boston Globe. “While we acknowledge your right to free expression, your decision to lead a protest from the stage, disrupting an important institute ceremony, was a violation of MIT's time, place and manner rules for campus expression.”
Vemuri, in her response, reportedly accepted that her speech constituted a protest but described the disciplinary action as an “overreach.”
Viral speech sparks backlash; LinkedIn profile deleted
Vemuri’s remarks quickly spread on social media, prompting a wave of criticism. Following the online backlash, she appears to have deleted her LinkedIn profile. A screenshot of the now-defunct page was widely shared by users on X (formerly Twitter).
Wearing a red keffiyeh—a scarf associated with Palestinian solidarity—Vemuri used her platform at the event to condemn MIT’s research affiliations with the Israeli military and the broader role of U.S. institutions in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
“The Israeli occupation forces are the only foreign military that MIT has research ties with; this means that Israel's assault on the Palestinian people is not only aided and abetted by our country, but our school,” she said.
Vemuri called on her fellow graduates to take a moral stand, stating: “We are watching Israel try to wipe Palestine off the face of the earth, and it is a shame that MIT is a part of it.”
She urged her peers to support humanitarian aid and oppose arms transfers, adding: “As scientists, engineers, academics and leaders, we have a commitment to support life, support aid efforts and call for an arms embargo and keep demanding now as alumni that MIT cuts the ties.”
She also praised pro-Palestinian students on campus for their activism, saying: “Last spring, MIT's undergraduate body and Graduate Student Union voted overwhelmingly to cut ties with the genocidal Israeli military. You called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and you stood in solidarity with the pro-Palestine activists on campus.”
The speech was later posted online by the Palestinian Youth Movement, which identified Vemuri as the speaker.
Who is Megha Vemuri?
Born and raised in Alpharetta, Georgia, Megha Vemuri is a graduate of Alpharetta High School’s Class of 2021. At MIT, she pursued a degree in computer science, neuroscience, and linguistics, while also serving as the class president.
She is associated with Written Revolution, a student organization at MIT that advocates anti-imperialist perspectives and revolutionary political thought.
Prior to attending MIT, Vemuri interned at the University of Cape Town’s Neuroscience Institute in South Africa and participated in various student science and leadership programs.
Vemuri has yet to issue a public statement following MIT’s disciplinary action, though her supporters have taken to social media to criticise the university’s handling of the incident.
Growing scrutiny of campus activism in the US
Vemuri’s exclusion from commencement has become the latest in a series of high-profile incidents involving disciplinary action against students protesting in support of Palestine.
Last month, New York University withheld the diploma of graduating student Logan Rozos after he delivered an unauthorized commencement address condemning what he described as atrocities in Gaza.
At MIT, student protests over the institution’s ties to Israel have been ongoing since April. Activists have organized sit-ins and walkouts demanding that the university cut financial and research links to Israel’s defense sector. While MIT has acknowledged certain partnerships, it has defended them as part of its broader academic mission.
(With inputs from ToI)
The incident has sparked widespread debate about free speech and campus protest policies at leading U.S. universities.
Vemuri, who was scheduled to serve as a student marshal at MIT’s commencement, was informed by Chancellor Melissa Nobles that she would not be allowed to participate in the ceremony and that her family would also be barred from the campus for much of graduation day.
“You deliberately and repeatedly misled Commencement organizers,” Nobles wrote to Vemuri in an email quoted by The Boston Globe. “While we acknowledge your right to free expression, your decision to lead a protest from the stage, disrupting an important institute ceremony, was a violation of MIT's time, place and manner rules for campus expression.”
Vemuri, in her response, reportedly accepted that her speech constituted a protest but described the disciplinary action as an “overreach.”
Viral speech sparks backlash; LinkedIn profile deleted
Vemuri’s remarks quickly spread on social media, prompting a wave of criticism. Following the online backlash, she appears to have deleted her LinkedIn profile. A screenshot of the now-defunct page was widely shared by users on X (formerly Twitter).
Wearing a red keffiyeh—a scarf associated with Palestinian solidarity—Vemuri used her platform at the event to condemn MIT’s research affiliations with the Israeli military and the broader role of U.S. institutions in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
“The Israeli occupation forces are the only foreign military that MIT has research ties with; this means that Israel's assault on the Palestinian people is not only aided and abetted by our country, but our school,” she said.
Vemuri called on her fellow graduates to take a moral stand, stating: “We are watching Israel try to wipe Palestine off the face of the earth, and it is a shame that MIT is a part of it.”
She urged her peers to support humanitarian aid and oppose arms transfers, adding: “As scientists, engineers, academics and leaders, we have a commitment to support life, support aid efforts and call for an arms embargo and keep demanding now as alumni that MIT cuts the ties.”
She also praised pro-Palestinian students on campus for their activism, saying: “Last spring, MIT's undergraduate body and Graduate Student Union voted overwhelmingly to cut ties with the genocidal Israeli military. You called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and you stood in solidarity with the pro-Palestine activists on campus.”
The speech was later posted online by the Palestinian Youth Movement, which identified Vemuri as the speaker.
Who is Megha Vemuri?
Born and raised in Alpharetta, Georgia, Megha Vemuri is a graduate of Alpharetta High School’s Class of 2021. At MIT, she pursued a degree in computer science, neuroscience, and linguistics, while also serving as the class president.
She is associated with Written Revolution, a student organization at MIT that advocates anti-imperialist perspectives and revolutionary political thought.
Prior to attending MIT, Vemuri interned at the University of Cape Town’s Neuroscience Institute in South Africa and participated in various student science and leadership programs.
Vemuri has yet to issue a public statement following MIT’s disciplinary action, though her supporters have taken to social media to criticise the university’s handling of the incident.
Growing scrutiny of campus activism in the US
Vemuri’s exclusion from commencement has become the latest in a series of high-profile incidents involving disciplinary action against students protesting in support of Palestine.
Last month, New York University withheld the diploma of graduating student Logan Rozos after he delivered an unauthorized commencement address condemning what he described as atrocities in Gaza.
At MIT, student protests over the institution’s ties to Israel have been ongoing since April. Activists have organized sit-ins and walkouts demanding that the university cut financial and research links to Israel’s defense sector. While MIT has acknowledged certain partnerships, it has defended them as part of its broader academic mission.
(With inputs from ToI)
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