MIT Bans Student Leader Megha Vemuri from Graduation After Pro-Palestine Speech
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has barred class president Megha Vemuri, an Indian-American student, from her graduation ceremony after she delivered an unapproved pro-Palestine protest speech during a university event last week.
The incident occurred on May 29 at a pre-commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025. Vemuri, elected to represent her graduating class, discarded her prepared remarks and instead accused MIT of complicity in what she called Israel’s “genocide” of Palestinians. Wearing a red keffiyeh—a scarf associated with Palestinian solidarity—she stated: “The Israeli occupation forces are the only foreign military that MIT has research ties with. This means Israel’s assault on the Palestinian people is aided by our school.”
Her comments sparked immediate backlash. Dozens of Jewish students and families walked out in protest during the speech, which drew audible boos alongside scattered cheers. “Our families traveled far for this ceremony and were extremely disappointed,” one Israeli student told reporters.
Within hours, MIT Chancellor Melissa Nobles notified Vemuri of her ban from commencement events, citing a violation of university policies. In an email obtained by media, Nobles wrote: “While we uphold free expression, your decision to stage a protest from the stage disrupted a significant institute ceremony, violating MIT’s time, place, and manner rules.”
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MIT administrators emphasized that Vemuri had submitted approved remarks beforehand but deliberately switched to an inflammatory political statement. The university confirmed her family is also barred from most campus events during graduation week.
The case highlights escalating tensions on U.S. campuses over the Israel-Hamas war. While MIT acknowledged Vemuri’s right to criticize Israeli policies, officials maintained that graduation ceremonies—attended by thousands of families—were inappropriate venues for protests accusing the university of enabling genocide.
Vemuri has not publicly commented on the ban. MIT’s main commencement ceremony proceeded on Friday without the senior class president on stage.