MIT suspends PhD student over pro-Palestine essay
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has suspended Prahlad Iyengar, a PhD student in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, until January 2026 following the publication of a pro-Palestine essay in a student magazine. This decision effectively terminates his five-year NSF fellowship and bars him from entering the campus.
The essay, titled On Pacifism, was published in the October issue of Written Revolution, a multidisciplinary student magazine. According to an email from MIT Dean of Student Life David Warren Randall to the magazine editors, the article contained imagery and language that "could be interpreted as a call for more violent or destructive forms of protest at MIT." The email also highlighted the inclusion of images such as the logo of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department.
Iyengar, who had previously faced suspension last year for participating in pro-Palestine rallies, criticised the recent action as a violation of free speech. Speaking to WBUR, he stated that the magazine was intended to "explain in our words what we were doing, why we were doing it, and what was happening on campus."
The MIT Coalition Against Apartheid has condemned the suspension, labelling it a blow to free speech. The coalition described the punishment as tantamount to expulsion due to the disruption of Iyengar's academic career and the requirement for a re-admission approval by the same disciplinary panel.
In a public petition, the coalition urged the administration to revoke or reduce the sanctions, calling on organisations and institutions to stand against what they termed the repression of student activism. They emphasised that Iyengar is appealing the decision with the Chancellor. Protests have also been launched by the coalition to pressure MIT's administration to reconsider the disciplinary action.
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Man killed in flat ceiling plaster crash, wife and son hurt
Thane (PTI): A 45-year-old man was killed, and his wife and son were injured when a portion of plaster from the ceiling collapsed in their flat in a seven-storey building in Thane on Saturday, officials said.
Chief of the Regional Disaster Management Cell, Yasin Tadvi, said the 16-year-old building is not listed in the "dangerous" category.
"The incident occurred in Karumdev Society at about 3 am. The plaster of the hall in a flat on the terrace floor suddenly fell while the occupants were asleep", he said.
Of the four people who were inside the room, two suffered minor injuries and were discharged after primary treatment, Tadvi stated.
The injured persons were identified as Arpita More (42), who suffered minor head injuries, and her son Arush More (16), who sustained injuries to both legs.
Manoj More (45), who sustained chest injuries, died during treatment at a private hospital.
