MIT bans Indian-origin student from graduation event over pro-Palestine speech

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) barred the Class of 2025 president Megha Vemuri from participating in Friday’s official graduation commencement ceremony after she delivered a pro-Palestine speech during a separate campus event a day earlier.

The university confirmed the disciplinary action in a statement on Friday, without naming the student. “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,” said MIT spokesperson Kimberly Allen.

“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 added.

The speech, which went viral online and was shared by the Palestinian Youth Movement. During Thursday’s OneMIT commencement event, Vemuri wore a keffiyeh – a symbol of Palestinian solidarity – and condemned MIT’s research collaborations with the Israeli military. She accused the university of “aiding and abetting” Israel’s actions against Palestinians and called for a “free Palestine”.

“The students of MIT will not tolerate genocide,” she said, praising campus activism in support of Palestinian rights.

MIT officials said Vemuri’s remarks differed from the speech approved in advance and that her actions amounted to staging a protest during an official ceremony.

Vemuri, an Indian-American student leader, had been expected to speak again at Friday’s main graduation event but was informed she would no longer be allowed to participate.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions on US campuses over the war in Gaza and increasing scrutiny of institutional ties with Israel. Pro-Palestine protests have intensified in recent months, with students demanding that universities divest from companies and programs linked to the Israeli military.