Indian Student in US Sparks Controversy with 'Free Palestine' Slogan, Accuses Israel of Human Rights Violations
Cambridge (The Uttam Hindu): The controversy has deepened after the speech given by Indian student Megha Vemuri in support of Palestine at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in America. Vemuri has accused Israel of killing innocent people and demanded the university to end its relations with Israel. She also called upon her fellow students to stand in support of the Palestinians.
“You guys show that MIT wants a free Palestine,” Vemuri, wearing a red keffiyah, a symbol of pro-Palestinian sentiments, told a large crowd gathered at the university’s convocation ceremony, which included students, their families and teachers.
It is worth noting that there is already a tense situation in many universities of America due to Israeli attacks in Gaza and the US administration has also taken action against many students. Vemuri said in his speech that educational institutions of the whole country are going through a period of uncertainty. He described MIT's research relations with Israel as shameful and against humanity.
Vemuri said MIT's research ties are only with the Israeli military, which means the school is supporting the genocide being carried out by Israel in Gaza. He said that MIT's undergraduate and graduate student unions have voted in favor of breaking ties with Israel, despite which the students received threats from university officials, but they did not bow down. Vemuri lamented that there is no university left in Gaza now and Israel wants to wipe out the Palestinians. He said that it is a shame that MIT is also a part of this.
Who is Megha Vemuri?
Megha Vemuri is the president of the 2025 batch at MIT. During her speech, many students raised slogans of "Free Palestine", while many others remained silent. MIT has not yet issued any official statement on the incident. Indian-origin Megha Vemuri was born in Alpharetta, Georgia. She recently received degrees in computer science, neuroscience and linguistics and was the president of her graduating class. Vemuri has also worked at the McGovern Institute for Research.