MIT Bars Indian-American Student Megha Vemuri From Graduation Ceremony Over Gaza War Protest Speech
New York— An Indian-American student and class president at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was barred from attending her own graduation ceremony after delivering a speech denouncing the war in Gaza. The incident has sparked a fresh wave of debate about free speech, student activism, and academic freedom on college campuses across the United States.
Who Is Megha Vemuri?
Megha Vemuri, a Georgia-raised senior and class president of MIT’s Class of 2025, was expected to deliver remarks at MIT’s prestigious OneMIT Commencement ceremony on Thursday. Instead, she found herself at the center of controversy after giving a speech that diverged from the approved script.
Vemuri used the stage to speak out against the war in Gaza, criticizing the university’s affiliations with Israel and showing solidarity with Palestinian people. She wore a keffiyeh, a traditional scarf and a symbol of Palestinian solidarity, draped over her graduation robe.
MIT Responds With Punishment
Following her speech, MIT’s senior leadership informed Vemuri that she would be barred from attending Friday’s official commencement ceremony and would be prohibited from entering the campus until the event concluded.
In a statement, a spokesperson from the university justified the decision:
“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.”
The university confirmed that although she would not be allowed to participate in the graduation, she would still receive her diploma by mail.
Vemuri Defends Her Actions
Speaking to CNN, Vemuri said she was grateful for her family’s support during the ordeal and had no regrets about her actions.
“I see no need for me to walk across the stage of an institution that is complicit in this genocide,” she said.
She also accused MIT of hypocrisy and violating principles of free speech.
“I am disappointed that MIT’s officials massively overstepped their roles to punish me without merit or due process, with no indication of any specific policy broken.”
Family and Community Reaction
Vemuri’s father, Sarat Vemuri, shared that his daughter is a double major in computation & cognition and linguistics. He confirmed she was told she would receive her degree but was denied the ceremonial walk.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned MIT’s decision, calling it an attempt to silence student activism.
“MIT must respect academic freedom and the voices of its students, not punish and intimidate those who speak out against genocide and in support of Palestinian humanity,” said Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, Executive Director of CAIR-Massachusetts.
Campus Protests Nationwide
MIT is not the only university grappling with campus activism related to the Gaza conflict. Across the United States, student-led protests and encampments have swept institutions like Harvard, Columbia, and NYU since the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
In a related incident, New York University withheld a diploma from a student who condemned what they called “genocide in Gaza” during a commencement speech.
MIT, in response to rising campus tensions, implemented stricter protest rules in September 2024. The school has since cracked down on unauthorized demonstrations, marking a shift from previous years when student protesters occupied campus spaces with less interference.
The Bigger Picture: Free Speech or Institutional Limits?
As college campuses increasingly become battlegrounds for ideological, political, and humanitarian concerns, universities are walking a tightrope between upholding freedom of expression and enforcing institutional guidelines.
Observers note that this tension is heightened by political pressure, including criticism from national leaders and scrutiny of higher education institutions over their handling of campus protests and allegations of antisemitism.
Megha Vemuri’s exclusion from MIT’s graduation ceremony has reignited debates on whether universities truly support free speech or selectively enforce rules when politically sensitive topics are raised. As academic institutions continue to confront complex global issues within their campuses, the line between protest and punishment remains hotly contested.