Indian MP Raghav Chadha backs Harvard amid US ban on international students

As the US government moves to revoke Harvard's ability to enroll over 6,800 international students citing China ties and antisemitism, Indian MP Raghav Chadha stands out as a vocal defender of academic freedom and global collaboration. This report covers the legal battle, international reactions, and the potential impact on thousands of students' futures.

Sources:
The GuardianNdtvLivemint+4
Updated 1h ago
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Sources: LivemintInshortsSpectrumlocalnews+1
Indian Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has publicly backed Harvard University following the U.S. government's decision to revoke the university's certification to enroll international students for the 2025-26 academic year.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directive, part of the Trump administration's broader China Initiative, accuses Harvard of fostering antisemitism and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party, leading to the loss of its authority to sponsor F and J visas.

Harvard condemned the move as "unlawful and unwarranted," warning it "imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars" and disrupts numerous academic programs just before graduation. The university has filed a lawsuit and a motion for a temporary restraining order, arguing the government denied it a meaningful chance to respond.

Chadha expressed solidarity with international students, stating their "dreams and futures are under threat" and emphasized the importance of defending academic freedom and fostering global collaboration.

Harvard President Alan Garber described the government's action as one that "imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars." The university highlighted that the DHS move would have an "immediate and devastating effect" on its 6,800 international students, including 1,203 from China.

The Chinese government criticized the ban, warning it would harm America's international standing and pledged to protect Chinese students' rights abroad.

This controversy underscores ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China over academic and research collaborations, with Harvard caught in the crossfire due to its longstanding China ties.

Quotes and stats:
- "Dreams and futures are under threat" - Raghav Chadha
- Harvard has 6,703 international students in 2024, including 1,203 Chinese students
- Harvard's lawsuit cites denial of meaningful response and immediate chaos
- Harvard President Alan Garber: "Imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars"

The situation remains fluid as Harvard seeks legal relief and the international academic community watches closely.
Sources: LivemintInshorts
Indian MP Raghav Chadha supports Harvard University amid the U.S. government's revocation of Harvard's ability to enroll international students, calling the ban a threat to academic freedom and the futures of thousands of global students. Harvard has filed a lawsuit challenging the move, citing harm to its community.
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The Headline

DHS revokes Harvard's international student visas; Chadha backs Harvard

I stand with all the international students whose 'dreams and futures are under threat' over the directive. We should defend academic freedom and foster global collaboration.
Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha
Livemint
This imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars.
Harvard President Alan Garber
Key Facts
  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked Harvard's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), stripping its authority to sponsor F and J visas for international students for the 2025-26 academic year.Livemint
  • Harvard filed a lawsuit and motion for a temporary restraining order calling the revocation unlawful and warning of immediate chaos affecting over 6,800 international students.The GuardianInshorts
  • A federal judge granted a temporary reprieve to Harvard, halting the ban on enrolling foreign students.1
  • Harvard's president Alan Garber described the government's action as one that imperils the futures of thousands of students and scholars.
  • Harvard warned the DHS directive threatens the visa status of 6,800 international students and would have an immediate and devastating effect on the university.1
  • Indian MP Raghav Chadha publicly supported Harvard, calling the ban a threat to international students' futures and academic freedom.Livemint
Key Stats at a Glance
Number of international students affected by DHS visa revocation
6800 students
1
Academic year affected by DHS visa revocation
2025-26 year
Livemint

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Background Context

Harvard's China ties and US allegations spark controversy

If only Harvard cared this much about ending the scourge of anti-American, anti-Semitic, pro-terrorist agitators on their campus they wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson
The Guardian
Key Facts
  • Harvard's longstanding ties to China include research partnerships and China-focused academic centers, which have been an asset yielding major financial gifts, influence in international affairs, and global prestige for the school.Ndtv
  • The Trump administration launched the China Initiative in 2018 to investigate Chinese espionage and undisclosed financial ties in US universities, scrutinizing researchers like former Harvard Professor Charles Lieber.Ndtv
  • The Trump administration accused Harvard of fostering antisemitism, violence, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on campus.NdtvInshorts
  • The Chinese government condemned the US move, warning it would harm America's international standing and pledged to protect Chinese students abroad.Spectrumlocalnews
  • Chinese students accounted for 1,203 of Harvard's 6,703 international students in 2024, highlighting the significance of Chinese presence at Harvard amid tensions.Spectrumlocalnews
  • White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed Harvard's lawsuit, criticizing Harvard for not addressing anti-American and antisemitic agitators on campus.The Guardian
Key Stats at a Glance
Number of Chinese students at Harvard in 2024
1203 students
Spectrumlocalnews
Total number of international students at Harvard in 2024
6703 students
Spectrumlocalnews
Year China Initiative was launched
2018 year
Ndtv
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