**MIT Bars Class President from Graduation for Speech on Gaza War and University’s Israel Ties**

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has barred Megha Vemuri, the 2025 class president, from attending her graduation ceremony after a speech she gave the day before condemning the Gaza war and criticizing the university's connections with Israel. Vemuri delivered her remarks at MIT's OneMIT commencement, which took place in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was notably adorned in a keffiyeh over her graduation gown.

During her speech, she praised student protests against the Gaza war, advocated for humanitarian aid efforts, and called for an arms embargo, urging MIT to cut its ties with Israel. "As scientists, engineers, academics, and leaders, we have a commitment to support life and aid efforts and to demand that MIT sever its connections with Israel," Vemuri stated.

MIT responded through a statement, clarifying that the speech delivered was not the one approved in advance. The university decided that Vemuri would not be allowed at Friday's undergraduate degree ceremony despite her scheduled participation. The statement from MIT mentioned that the decision was taken because Vemuri had repeatedly misled the Commencement organizers and used the stage to lead a protest, disrupting the Institute’s important event.

MIT assured that while Vemuri would not attend the ceremony, she would still receive her degree. Speaking to CNN, Vemuri expressed that she wasn't disappointed about not walking across the stage, stating, "I see no need for me to walk across the stage of an institution that is complicit in this genocide." However, she noted her disappointment at MIT's decision to punish her without merit or due process.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has also condemned MIT's actions. Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, executive director of CAIR Massachusetts, emphasized that MIT should respect academic freedom and not punish students for speaking out against genocide and supporting Palestinian humanity.

This incident follows similar events at other universities, including New York University and George Washington University, where students faced repercussions after using graduation ceremonies to criticize Israel's actions in Gaza and express solidarity with Palestinians.