The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) barred Megha Vemuri, an Indian-origin student and the 2025 class president, from participating in Friday’s (30 May) graduation commencement ceremony after she delivered a pro-Palestinian speech at an event the day before. In a statement released Friday, MIT did not name Vemuri but confirmed that a woman gave an unauthorised speech during Thursday’s OneMIT commencement ceremony, as reported by NBC News.

“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 Palestinian Youth Movement later shared the speech online, identifying the speaker as Megha Vemuri. Wearing a Keffiyeh, Vemuri criticised MIT for its research collaborations with the Israeli military, accusing the institution of supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Since 7 October 2023, Israel’s war in Gaza has claimed more than 52,000 lives, following Hamas’ attack that killed around 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in 251 hostages. Israel has faced mounting international criticism, including from the United Nations, for its military actions and restrictions on aid to the enclave.

“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,” Vemuri said in her speech.

Her remarks received a standing ovation from classmates, with some raising Palestinian flags in solidarity.

“Right now, while we prepare to graduate and move forward with our lives, there are no universities left in Gaza,” Vemuri said. “We are watching Israel try to wipe out Palestine off the face of the earth, and it is a shame that MIT is a part of it.”

She also noted that the undergraduate body had voted to urge MIT to sever ties with Israel and had faced “threats, intimidation and suppression coming from all directions—especially your own university officials.”

“But you prevailed because the MIT community that I know would never tolerate a genocide,” she added.

Vemuri is not the only graduate facing consequences for pro-Palestinian advocacy. Earlier this month, New York University withheld student Logan Rozos’ diploma after he delivered an unapproved commencement speech criticising what he called the “atrocities currently happening in Palestine.” NYU condemned the speech, calling it an expression of “his personal and one-sided political views.”