Indian student slams Harvard University for barring pro-Palestine protesters in graduation speech
Over 1000 students staged walkout following speech in solidarity with barred students
Cambridge: In a dramatic turn of events during Harvard University's commencement ceremony, Shruthi Kumar, a graduating student from Nebraska, deviated from her prepared speech to sharply criticize the university for its actions against students protesting Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Kumar, an Indian American chosen to deliver the English commencement address for the undergraduate class, used her platform to highlight what she described as the university's intolerance towards freedom of speech and civil disobedience.
"As I stand here today, I must take a moment to recognize my peers—the 13 undergraduates in the class of 2024 who will not graduate today," Kumar stated, referring to the students who were barred from graduating due to their involvement in pro-Palestine protests. Despite a majority vote by the faculty of arts and sciences in favor of allowing these students to graduate, the Harvard Corporation, the university’s governing body, decided on Wednesday to prevent them from graduating.
According to the Harvard Crimson, the 13 students faced disciplinary action for their active participation in campus protests against Israel's actions in Gaza, which the protesters described as genocidal. This decision sparked significant backlash among the student body and faculty.
During her speech, Shruthi Kumar pulled out a piece of paper containing her off-script remarks, which she had hidden in her gown. "I am deeply disappointed by the intolerance for freedom of speech and the right to civil disobedience on campus," she declared, receiving widespread applause and a standing ovation from her peers.
She continued, "The students have spoken. The faculty have spoken. Harvard, do you hear us?"
Kumar also highlighted personal experiences of being targeted, stating, "In the fall, my name and identity, alongside other black and brown students at Harvard, were publicly targeted. For many of us, students of color, doxxing left our jobs uncertain, our safety uncertain, our well-being uncertain."
She called for solidarity, emphasizing the importance of empathy and support despite differences in personal experiences. "We are in a moment of intense division and disagreement in our community over the events in Gaza. I see pain, anxiety, and unrest across campus. But, it’s now in a moment like this that the power of not knowing becomes critical. Maybe, we don’t know what it’s like to be ethnically targeted. Maybe, we don’t know what it’s like to come face to face with violence and death. But, we don’t have to know. Solidarity is not dependent on what we know. Because, not knowing is an ethical stance," she said.
Following Kumar’s speech, over 1,000 Harvard University students staged a walkout in solidarity with the 13 undergraduates.
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Christmas decorations vandalised by VHP activists at school in Nalbari; Tension in area
Nalbari: Tension prevailed in the Panigaon area of Nalbari district on December 24 after members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal allegedly entered the premises of St Mary’s School and vandalised materials prepared for Christmas celebrations.
According to local sources, activists of the VHP and Bajrang Dal entered the school campus ahead of Christmas and raised slogans inside the premises. It is alleged that Christmas-related decorations and materials kept within the school compound were damaged and set on fire.
Eyewitnesses said that members of the Bajrang Dal were the first to enter the campus, during which they allegedly raised slogans such as “Jai Shri Ram,” “Jai Hindu Rashtra,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” and burnt items prepared for Christmas celebrations. The incident created panic among local residents and led to concerns over law and order in the area. No injuries have been reported so far.
The incident comes amid reports of similar acts in Nalbari town in recent days, where Christmas decorations displayed at several commercial establishments were allegedly set on fire.
Reacting to the incident, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair said on social media that VHP and Bajrang Dal activists entered St Mary’s School on Christmas Eve, raised slogans and destroyed Christmas decorations. His post drew attention to the incident and sparked wider discussion online.
Police have not yet issued an official statement on the incident. Further details are awaited.
On Christmas Eve, Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal goons entered St. Mary’s School in Panigaon, Nalbari, chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hindu Rashtra.” They destroyed and set fire to all Christmas decorations prepared at the school. pic.twitter.com/LQHV7FWUvz
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 24, 2025
