On May 29, 2025, what should have been a proud, memorable moment for MIT’s Class of 2025 turned into a stage for controversy. During the prestigious OneMIT undergraduate ceremony, class president Megha Vemuri, wearing a red keffiyeh — a symbol often associated with Palestinian resistance — chose to abandon her pre-approved script. Instead, she gave an unapproved speech, sharply criticizing Israel and accusing it of genocide in Gaza. She also used the opportunity to condemn MIT’s collaboration with the Israeli military, a move that stunned many in the audience and drew instant backlash.