Why did MIT ban Megha Vemuri and her family from the graduation ceremony?
MIT's latest step regarding Megha Vemuri has left the social media and netizens quite 'speech'less. In a move that has sparked widespread debate over free speech and institutional authority, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) barred Vemuri, the Indian-American class president of the Class of 2025, and her family from participating in the university's commencement ceremony.
This decision followed her pro-Palestine speech during the commencement rehearsal, leading to accusations of overreach and censorship.
What happened?
On the eve of the commencement ceremony, Vemuri delivered a speech that apparently deviated from the approved script. In her address, she accused MIT of complicity in what she termed the "genocide" of Palestinians, criticizing the university's research collaborations with Israeli military entities.
Making headlines for her 'antisemitic' agendas, she showed solidarity with the Palestinians with her message, a keffiyeh, a symbol of solidarity.
Her remarks, which included praise for student protests against Israel and condemnation of MIT's ties with Israeli forces, were met with a mix of boos and cheers from the audience. Jewish students in attendance reportedly walked out in protest.
What followed…
The following morning, MIT Chancellor Melissa Nobles informed Vemuri via email that she and her family were prohibited from attending the graduation ceremony.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
The university justified this action by labeling Vemuri's speech as a "staged protest," asserting that she had misrepresented the approved content and disrupted the event's decorum. Consequently, Vemuri was also barred from the campus for most of the day.
How did Vemuri react to her exclusion from the graduation ceremony?
Vemuri publicly criticized MIT's decision, describing it as an overreach and an infringement on her right to free expression. She contested the characterization of her speech as a protest, emphasizing that her remarks were intended to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Her response has garnered support from various quarters, with many viewing the university's actions as an attempt to suppress political discourse on campus.
While MIT maintains that its actions were justified to uphold the integrity of the event, the incident raises pertinent questions about the extent to which academic institutions should regulate political expression.
What happens now?
This incident has ignited a broader conversation about the balance between free speech and institutional policies.
Critics argue that MIT's actions set a concerning precedent for the suppression of political expression in academic settings. Supporters of Vemuri contend that universities should serve as platforms for diverse viewpoints and that students should be encouraged to engage with global issues critically.
The controversy has also attracted political attention. US House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned Vemuri's speech as "ignorant" and "hateful," suggesting that parents should reconsider sending their children to MIT or other Ivy League institutions.
While Harvard is fighting the Trump administration on the international students' ban, emerging as a strong advocate for academic independence – and in extension – for a democratic environment for students' opinions, the banning of Megha Vemuri and her family from MIT's graduation ceremony underscores the complexities universities face in navigating free speech and institutional policies.
MIT Grad Wears Arab Headscarf; Torches Alma Mater's Israel Ties In Viral Speech |Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
27 minutes ago
- The Print
Maldives holds ‘very special place' in India's foreign policy: Envoy
The diplomat said Maldives is important to India not because of its strategic geographical location, but because 'we have been neighbours, and we will continue to be neighbours'. In a recent interview with news portal, Balasubramanian expressed hope India and Maldives will always work together for the benefit of the region as a whole. Male, Jun 2 (PTI) Maldives occupies a 'very special place' in New Delhi's foreign policy, not because of its strategic geographical location but because it is India's neighbour, Indian High Commissioner G Balasubramanian has said. 'We are one of the closest partners to Maldives, and so are you for us… for India in its diplomatic outreach, 'Neighbourhood First' is one of its major policies. And in the 'Neighbourhood First Policy', Maldives occupies a very special place,' he said. Balasubramanian said in India, there is a 'complete recognition' of the importance that Maldives has 'in our relationship in our neighbourhood'. India and Maldives are very close to each other both culturally, people-to- people, and contact-wise, he said. 'There are linguistic linkages also and we have always been there, standing shoulder to shoulder with Maldives in the growth that both our countries have witnessed in the past 60 years,' Balasubramanian said. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Maldives. The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain after Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November 2023. Within hours of his oath, he had demanded the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from his country. Subsequently, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians. There was a thaw in the relations as Muizzu vowed to boost the bilateral ties with India during his visit to Delhi in October last year. Affirming India's commitment to the principle of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', meaning the whole world is one family, Balasubramanian said India wants all countries to grow together peacefully and resolve any differences between each other through negotiations and dialogue only. 'We have been solid partners for many years, many decades together. And our concept is 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'… So we treat all our friends, our neighbourhood, particularly in the Global South, as very important partners to grow together. 'We are happy to share our technology, experiences, and we are happy to come to assistance whenever it is required, whether it is the Indira Gandhi medical hospital that was set up earlier or the various other projects,' the envoy said. Last month, India extended crucial financial support to the Maldives through the rollover of the USD 50 million Treasury Bill for one more year, a move the Maldivian government said will support its ongoing efforts to implement fiscal reforms for economic resilience. India has maintained that the Maldives is its key maritime neighbour and also an important partner in the 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision 'MAHASAGAR' (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). India has recently signed 13 MoUs with the Maldives for enhancing ferry services in the island nation, with an MVR 100 million grant, expanding maritime connectivity and uplifting community livelihoods. PTI SCY SCY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
RSS functionary Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat booked for provocative speech in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district police registered a case against RSS functionary Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat for allegedly delivering a provocative speech during a condolence meeting held in Bantwal. According to police, the event took place on May 12 at the Madwa Palace Kalyana Mantapa in Kavalapaduru village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Bantwal Rural police station. The meeting was organised following the recent murder of Suhas Shetty within Mangaluru City police limits. While addressing a gathering of around 500 people at the event, Bhat allegedly made statements that could disturb communal harmony and incite animosity between different communities. Citing concerns over potential threats to law and order, police registered a case against Bhat on Monday at Bantwal Rural police station under Section 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. BJP: State attempting to implement police raj BJP state general secretary V Sunil Kumar criticised the state govt alleging that there was an attempt to implement a police raj system in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He claimed that on the pretext of controlling hate speech, unnecessary cases are being filed against notable figures in Hindu organisations, including RSS functionary Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat, causing harassment. "Govt itself is promoting hate speech and is restricting stringent actions to Hindu organisations. Such unilateral actions by govt are unacceptable," he said. He questioned police for not taking action against those who speak of murder by brandishing swords and knives. He warned that these police actions could lead to further unrest in Dakshina Kannada district and advised against using FIRs as a tool for creating an illusion of peace. "Govt should work on building trust across all sections of society," he said. BJP Yuva Morcha district president Nandan Mallya, condemning the case filed against Prabhakar Bhat, said since the Congress govt came to power in the state, continuous cases have been filed against leaders and activists of Hindu organisations, creating an atmosphere of fear. "Police are intimidating Hindu activists by visiting their homes late at night, when women and children are present. It is inhumane behaviour and an abuse of power by the authorities. Such attempts to suppress pro-Hindu voices through legal cases are anti-democratic and not acceptable. To maintain the peaceful environment of the district, such politically motivated police actions must stop immediately," said Mallya.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
B'deshi woman deported, son moves Supreme Court
1 2 New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday sought the Centre's response to a petition by a man alleging that his mother, released after three years detention following a foreigners tribunal identifying her as a Bangladeshi, may have been forcibly pushed into Bangladesh despite her plea against the tribunal's order pending in SC since 2017. Appearing for Iunuch Ali, senior advocate Kapil Sibal told a partial working day bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and S C Sharma that she was picked up by the Dhubri police in Assam and allegedly pushed back into Bangladesh. "How can the Dhubri SP determine whether she is a Bangladeshi immigrant? Was she produced before a magistrate after being detained? The son does not know her whereabouts. The Centre must inform him about her whereabouts," Sibal said. SC issued notice to the Centre on this plea. Sibal also questioned the 'push back' of illegal Bangladeshi migrants and said this is unknown to the process of law. The only legal process available is 'deportation', he said. The petitioner said, "The law does not recognise 'push back', i.e arresting foreign nationals and taking them to the international border, and either casting them away or pushing them across international borders without any verification and acceptance by the authorities of the other country. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like News For Jack Nicholson, 87, He Has Been Confirmed To Be... Reportingly Undo This is illegal, not permitted by any law." The petitioner's mother Monowara Bewa was declared a foreigner by the Dhubri Foreigners Tribunal on March 17, 2016. The Gauhati HC upheld the tribunal's order on Feb 28, 2017. Her appeal against the HC order is pending adjudication in SC for the last eight years. In the meantime, SC in another case in 2019 ordered that foreigners cannot be kept in detention indefinitely and must be either deported to their native country or released on bail. The Centre had said deportation is dependent on the host country accepting their citizen. Based on the 2019 judgment, Bewa was released in Dec 2019. She was detained again on May 24 as the drive against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants picked pace after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor by Indian armed forces against terrorist bases in Pakistan. The petitioner said her detention was in violation of her rights guaranteed under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
