A video of a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) delivering an impassioned speech about Israeli airstrikes in Gaza in the middle of a mathematics lecture has gone viral on social media. In over a minute-and-a-half-long video, the student, standing in the right corner of the screen, asked the lecturer if he could say something. The professor asked, “Can I just finish this line?”

After the maths teacher completed his explanation, the student read from a piece of paper, “As you witness an ongoing genocide of Gaza in MIT silence – I’m joining hundreds of students city-wide walking out of class. We stand for the liberation of Palestine against active genocide that is perpetuated by MIT, Israel and the United States.”

Showing a Palestinian flag, the student-led chants of “free, free Palestine” alongside fellow protestors.

His outburst was captured in a video where he also accused MIT, Israel, and the US of “perpetuating genocide”.

On X, though, Professor Retsef Levi, MIT Expert in Analytics, wrote, “Today, Jewish and Israeli MIT students were physically prevented from attending class by a hostile group of pro-Hamas and anti-Israel MIT students that call themselves the CAA. This is after students from the CAA harassed MIT staff members in their offices for being Jewish and interrupted classes in the past few weeks. All of this has occurred with no clear response from the administration. With each passing day, MIT admin’s silence makes Jewish and Israeli students feel unsafe at MIT.”

This is the reality that MIT President wants to hide. A letter from Israeli & Jewish MIT students:

To all students at MIT,

Today, Jewish and Israeli MIT students were physically prevented from attending class by a hostile group of pro-Hamas and anti-Israel MIT students that…

— Retsef Levi (@RetsefL) November 10, 2023

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman criticised MIT, sharing the post and accusing the institution of failing to “discipline protesters.” “The failure of Harvard, MIT and other universities to discipline protesters who violate their rules emboldens the protesters to more aggressive, disruptive and antisemitic actions. This has created a climate of fear that is not conducive to a university education. The failure to discipline students who have bullied, assaulted or otherwise been abusive to Jewish students under the guise of free speech or a supposed requirement to wait for the completion of a police and FBI investigation is similarly absurd,” he wrote.

The failure of @Harvard, @MIT and other universities to discipline protesters who violate their rules emboldens the protesters to more aggressive, disruptive and antisemitic actions. This has created a climate of fear that is not conducive to a university education.

The failure… https://t.co/yGHGotbR6q

— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) November 10, 2023

This incident reflects the heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Over 11,000 people have been killed in incessant Israeli airstrikes in Gaza since October 7, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza claimed, when Hamas targetted a music festival, killing over 250 people.

Legendary cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni recently delighted one of his fans in Ranchi by signing the backseat of the man’s BMW car. Taking to Instagram, user Sumeet Kumar Bajaj posted a video showing the former Indian captain signing the car of an individual named Abhishek Kerketta. It also shows MS Dhoni taking his time to select the perfect place and pen to sign his name inside the vehicle. 

“MS Dhoni Sir Delights Abhishek Brother By Giving Autograph On BMW 740i Series,” Mr Bajaj captioned the post. 

Watch the video below: 

The video opens to show MS Dhoni entering the backseat of the BMW and asking the fan for the place where to sign in the vehicle. A man then presents a number of pens and asks the cricketer which one he wants to use. 

At this point, Dhoni replies, “Nahi phele jagah batao (First show me the place)”. The fan then shows Dhoni the place and asks about the marker again, to which the former Indian Cricket Captain says, “Mota wala. Black hi hai na? (The fat marker. It is black, isn’t it?)”.After the selection of the pen, Dhoni then takes his time to get comfortable. He also explains to the fan how he would sign so that it fits well, due to the restraint of space. 

Also Read | Edelweiss’ Radhika Gupta Suggests “Longer Festive Break” In India During Diwali

At the end of the video, Dhoni signs the BMW and before exiting the car, he congratulates his fan and quips that before he gets late, he should leave. 

The video was shared just a day back and since then it has accumulated more than 259,000 views and over 30,000 likes. In the comments section, several people posted varied reactions. 

“Car price raised by 1000000%” jokingly wrote one user. “This just became world’s most valuable car,” commented another.

“So elegant, so beautiful, just looking like a wow,” wrote a third user. “Bhai, tum itna lucky kasie ho sakte ho [Bro, how can you be so lucky],” added another. 

A number of Instagram users also reacted to the video with heart and fire emojis. 

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a “devout Hindu”, issued his greetings for Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas on Saturday expressing hope for a brighter tomorrow. The 43-year-old leader referenced his Indian heritage in the customary festive message from 10 Downing Street for Hindus and Sikhs in the UK and around the world.

“Happy Diwali to all those celebrating around the world and across the UK, and a very happy Bandi Chhor Divas to our friends in the Sikh community,” said Mr Sunak.

“With the lighting of the diyas, let this be a moment we can look to the future with hope. My guiding light as Prime Minister is the determination to change things for the better, and as a symbol of the triumph of light over darkness, I believe Diwali is a poignant representation of the endeavour for a brighter tomorrow,” he said.

“As your first British Asian Prime Minister, and a devout Hindu, I also hope this can be a celebration of the fantastic ethnic and cultural diversity which makes the UK the place it is today,” he added.

Earlier this week, Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty hosted a special Diwali reception at 10 Downing Street, attended by prominent members of the Indian community and also Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar, Twinkle Khanna and Preity Zinta.

Tonight Prime Minister @RishiSunak welcomed guests from the Hindu community to Downing Street ahead of #Diwali – a celebration of the triumph of light over darkness.

Shubh Diwali to everyone across the UK and around the world celebrating from this weekend! pic.twitter.com/JqSjX8f85F

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) November 8, 2023

The Prime Ministerial office-cum-residence was decorated in a theme of vibrant marigolds, rangoli and candles on Wednesday evening as the UK’s first couple marked a year since Mr Sunak took charge as Britain’s first Prime Minister of Indian heritage.

A day later, on Thursday, entrepreneur and Noor Group of Hotels UK chief Roop Partap Choudhary said he was among a select group of guests at a special “Diwali Milan” hosted by the first couple at their Downing Street residence.

“It’s an immense honour to represent not just myself but also my hometown Karnal and the incredible Indian hospitality industry on such a prestigious platform,” said Choudhary, who is preparing to launch the second branch of the popular Colonel Saab Indian restaurant at Trafalgar Square in London later this month.