CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Diya TV) — Prahlad Iyengar, a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has been suspended following the submission of a controversial pro-Palestine essay. The essay, which expressed Iyengar’s critical views on Israel’s actions in Gaza, has sparked widespread debate over free speech and academic freedom on campus.
The incident has triggered protests and petitions among students and faculty members who feel that the action by MIT is part of a broader trend of silencing pro-Palestine voices in U.S. universities. Activists argue that Iyengar’s suspension contradicts MIT’s stated commitment to free expression, with many calling it a form of censorship in the context of growing pro-Palestine activism across the country. A petition calling on MIT to reinstate Iyengar and respect the rights of pro-Palestine advocates has gathered over 2,000 signatures.
The essay at the center of the controversy reportedly condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza and called for an arms embargo on Israel, aligning with demands made by student groups, including the MIT Coalition for Palestine. Earlier this year, MIT’s Graduate Student Union passed a resolution with over 70 percent approval calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the divestment of university funds from Israeli military institutions. A similar motion was supported by undergraduates.
MIT’s move to suspend Iyengar comes at a time when universities across the U.S. are facing increasing scrutiny over how they handle pro-Palestine activism. MIT President Sally Kornbluth, who recently testified before Congress on campus anti-Semitism, has been criticized for allowing pro-Palestine advocacy while simultaneously punishing students who express such views. Critics, including faculty members, argue that selective enforcement of policies around free speech undermines academic integrity.
This has come to draw parallels with past incidents of universities expressing concerns with Palestine-related activism. Iyengar and his defenders say this advocacy is about academic freedom and human rights, adding that universities are spaces meant for open debates rather than censorship.
