Harvard Graduation Speech: Indian American student Shruthi Kumar stands with Gaza | Maktoob Media

May 23, 2024.

Shruthi Kumar, an Indian American from Nebraska who was chosen to deliver the English commencement remarks for the undergraduate class, said:

“In the fall, my name and identity, along with those of other black and brown students at Harvard, were publicly targeted.

For many of us, students of colour, doxxing left our jobs uncertain, our safety uncertain, and our well-being uncertain,” she went on.

This semester, our freedom of speech and our expression of solidarity became punishable, making our graduations uncertain.

“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.”

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13 pro-Palestine students were barred from graduating for their active involvement in campus protests, even after a majority of the university’s faculty of arts and sciences voted for the students to have their degrees conferred, according to the Harvard Crimson.

The Harvard Corporation, the university’s governing body, voted on Wednesday to halt the students’ graduation.

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Kumar drew out a piece of paper containing off-script remarks hidden up the sleeve of her crimson gown and went on to say:

“I am deeply disappointed by the intolerance for freedom of speech and the right to civil disobedience on campus.”

As an American and as a Harvard graduate, what is happening on campus is about liberty, civil rights, and upholding democratic principles.

The students have spoken. The faculty have spoken,” she added amidst widespread applause and a standing ovation.

Shruthi Kumar asked, “Harvard, do you hear us?”

“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, she said.

End

Over 1,000 Harvard University students staged a walkout in solidarity with 13 undergraduates, soon after Shruthi’s speech.

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Maktoob is an independent Indian media outlet that emphasizes covering human rights, minorities, as well as everything newsworthy. Launched by Aslah Kayyalakkath and Naseel Voici, who were undergraduate students in 2014, Maktoob grew into one of India’s most engaging media organisations.