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Indian-origin MIT student ‘suspended’ over pro-Palestine essay
Prahlad Iyengar described MIT’s actions as “extraordinary” and a threat to the freedom of speech.
Prahlad Iyengar. / Instagram/@lilpayload
A pro-Palestine essay has led to the suspension of Prahlad Iyengar, an Indian-origin PhD student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), The Commune reported. The essay, titled On Pacifism, was published last month in Written Revolution, a student magazine focused on the pro-Palestine movement.
Here's Prahlad Iyengar "On Pacifism" in student-run magazine Written Revolution. This article caused this issue #5 of the magazine to be banned by @MIT. Warning: This article might make you feel "unsafe" or you might decide that author is a "terrorist" https://t.co/REBYMNWvTb
— Michel DeGraff (@MichelDeGraff) December 5, 2024
As per reports, MIT has barred Iyengar from campus and terminated his five-year National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, alleging that the essay promotes violence. The essay includes a logo of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which is designated as a terrorist organization by the US State Department. However, Iyengar has denied any intent to support terrorism, claiming that the controversial imagery was not provided by him.
"The administration accuses me of supporting 'terrorism', because the edition in which my article appears includes images of posters from the Popular Front for the Liberation and of containing violent imagery in the publication," Iyengar stated. His lawyer, Eric Lee, shared this statement on X (formerly Twitter).
This is not Iyengar's first suspension. He was previously sanctioned for participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus. Speaking on his recent suspension, Iyengar described MIT’s actions as “extraordinary” and a threat to the freedom of speech.
"Expelling me and banning Written Revolution from campus as a result of this article would mark an unprecedented attack on the rights of the entire student body and faculty," his statement read. "Consider the precedent MIT has set."
In response to MIT’s actions, the MIT Coalition Against Apartheid has launched protests and a campaign to support Iyengar. "Prahlad is now appealing his case with the Chancellor to reduce the unjust sanctions against him," the coalition said in a statement. "We call on all organizations and institutions of conscience to stand up to MIT's repression."
The decision against Prahlad Iyengar is a major blow to free speech everywhere. MIT's admin is so deeply connected to the war profiteers that it cannot tolerate pro-Palestinian speech. This sets tone for further attacks to speech coming under Trump. https://t.co/dZ4xsANb1Z
— Eric Lee (@EricLeeAtty) December 8, 2024
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