Harvard Commencement Marred by Protests Over Diplomas Denied to 13 Students

Over 1,000 students walked out of the ceremony after the university barred graduates involved in a Gaza solidarity protest.

Commencement speaker Shruthi Kumar criticized Harvard for punishing students' freedom of speech and civil disobedience.
The barred students had participated in an anti-Israel encampment on campus, leading to their disqualification from graduation.
A 'People's Commencement' was held by the walkout participants to honor the excluded students.
Faculty members overwhelmingly supported conferring degrees to the students, but the administration upheld the sanctions.
The controversy has sparked discussions on campus about civil rights, academic freedom, and institutional accountability.