iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
Shruthi Kumar, an Indian American graduating student at Harvard University, went off script and chastised Harvard over the university’s treatment of students protesting against what they say is a genocide being carried out by Israel in Gaza.
“As I stand here today, I must take a moment to recognize my peers – the 13 undergraduates in the class of 2024 that will not graduate today,” said Shruthi, who was chosen to deliver the English commencement remarks for the undergraduate class.
Expressing her disappointment, Kumar said, “I am deeply disappointed by the intolerance for freedom of speech and their right to civil disobedience on campus. The students have spoken. The faculty have spoken. Harvard, do you hear us?” Her words were met with a standing ovation from the audience, including some faculty members.
One of three students selected to speak at graduation through an annual contest, Kumar’s original speech, published in Harvard Magazine, was on The Power of Not Knowing, encouraging students to embrace uncertainty as they transition on from school, according to the Harvard Gazette.
But on Thursday, May 23, Kumar deviated from her prepared remarks to address Harvard’s punishment of protesting students and overall censorship, drawing a piece of paper with her comments from the sleeve of her gown.
The headlining commencement speaker also addressed Harvard’s treatment of pro-Palestine student activists. Maria Ressa, a Noble peace prize laureate and journalist, warned Harvard not to silence student protesters. “Harvard, you are being tested,” Ressa said. “The campus protests are testing everyone in America. Protests give voice; they shouldn’t be silenced.”
The remarks from Kumar and Ressa underline the tensions at Harvard and other universities after the crackdowns on pro-Palestine student protesters.
