There's mass genocide happening in Palestine, IIT Madras student says in his convocation speech
Dhananjay Balakrishnan was speaking after receiving Governor's Prize
Chennai: In a speech that has sparked discussion across India and beyond, Dhananjay Balakrishnan, a student from IIT Madras, used his convocation ceremony to speak about the ongoing crisis in Palestine. Balakrishnan, who won the prestigious Governor’s Prize for his exceptional performance in his dual degree program, spoke passionately about what he called a "mass genocide" happening in Palestine.
During the convocation at IIT Madras, Balakrishnan said he felt it was his duty to speak out for Palestine. He said, "This is a call for action against the mass genocide going on in Palestine. People are dying, and there is no end in sight." His speech has been widely shared on social media, drawing attention to the issue.
Balakrishnan pointed out that STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—have often been used to serve the interests of powerful countries like Israel. He said, "STEM as a field in itself has historically been used to advance the ulterior motives of imperial powers such as Israel."
His speech came at a time when global protests against Israel's actions in Palestine are on the rise. Recently, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari shared a video on social media showing a Palestinian flag being waved in Murshidabad, calling for action against what he termed "anti-national elements."
Even Adhikari, known for labeling critics of the government as anti-national, might hesitate to use such a term for Balakrishnan, a top student at IIT Madras. Balakrishnan, who is from Kochi, Kerala, is completing his BTech in Mechanical Engineering and MTech in Data Science. He told the audience that "inaction is complicity," emphasizing the importance of taking action against injustice.
Balakrishnan received his award from Nobel laureate Brian K. Kobilka, recognizing his achievements in both academics and extracurricular activities. In his brief yet impactful speech, he challenged his peers to think about the ethical implications of their work. He said, "Many of these prestigious companies are directly or indirectly implicated in the war against Palestine by providing the state of Israel with technology. Technology that is used to kill."
Balakrishnan's words echo a growing trend of student activism worldwide. In countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, students have been protesting against Israel's military actions. More than 2,000 students in the U.S. have been arrested for taking part in pro-Palestine protests. Similar demonstrations have occurred in Canada, Australia, and European universities like Oxford and Cambridge.
South Africa became the first country to take Israel to the International Court of Justice, accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza. This global response has been supported by many Indian celebrities, including Priyanka Chopra and Alia Bhatt, who shared messages on social media showing solidarity with Palestinians after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah caused significant casualties.
Balakrishnan concluded his speech by calling for reflection and action. "As engineers graduating into the real world, it is our job to be aware of the consequences of the work we do and also to interrogate our own position in this complex system of power imbalances," he said. He urged his classmates to consider how they could help those who are oppressed by caste, class, and creed. "I believe this would be our first step to curb the never-ending cycle of suffering," he said. "…we owe it to them [the magnanimous people of India] to lift every single person out of their misery. Inaction is complicity. I hope you and I and all of us can take action to make the right decisions, however hard they might be."
Balakrishnan's speech has started a significant conversation, highlighting the role of young intellectuals in addressing global issues. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, more than 38,000 Palestinians have died since Israel began a military offensive last October in response to Hamas attacks. The IIT Madras convocation thus became a key moment for raising awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, with Balakrishnan's call for action and empathy resonating with many people around the world.
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Child rape-murder: Hundreds protest on Mumbai-Bengaluru highway in Pune; traffic hit
Pune (PTI): Hundreds of people blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway in Pune to protest the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl, leading to traffic disruption on the busy route for about four hours.
The girl's family members and other demonstrators placed the body on the road in the Navale Bridge area on Saturday evening and demanded stringent punishment for the 65-year-old man arrested in the case.
Several videos surfaced showing a huge traffic jam on the highway.
Later, the victim's last rites were performed at the Vaikunt crematorium here shortly after midnight amid tight police security.
The accused man, who works as a labourer and has a criminal record, allegedly lured the girl with the promise of food on Friday in the Bhor tehsil of Pune district. He then took her to a cattle enclosure where he allegedly sexually assaulted her and later killed her by hitting her with a stone, according to the police.
He was arrested based on CCTV footage from a private residence, which captured him with the child.
A case was registered against him under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and he has been remanded in police custody till May 7.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Saturday met the family of the victim, assuring them of strict action against the accused and a fast-track trial.
Describing the incident as "shocking" and a "blot on humanity", Pawar said the government stands firmly with the victim's family and will ensure justice.
She also spoke to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and sought a fast-track court trial so that the accused receives the harshest punishment.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde directed Pune rural police to gather concrete evidence to build a watertight case and conduct the trial in a fast-track court.
Efforts should be made to ensure the accused gets the death penalty, a statement quoted Shinde as saying.
