MIT bans class president from graduation after speech critiquing Gaza war and university ties.

Megha Vemuri, the 2025 MIT class president, was banned from attending her graduation after giving a speech that criticized the war in Gaza and the university's ties to Israel. Despite being allowed to receive her degree, Vemuri was prohibited from the campus until the ceremony concluded. The university stated her speech was not the one submitted in advance and was disruptive. The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned MIT's decision, calling for respect for academic freedom.