• Source:JND
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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has criticised the United States government after it cancelled Harvard University's authorisation to enrol international students. Chadha, an alumnus of the prestigious institution, said the move puts the future of thousands of students at risk and challenges the idea of academic freedom.

On Friday, Chadha expressed his concern through a post on social media. He wrote, “President Trump’s recent move threatens the dreams and futures of international students at Harvard and beyond. As a proud member of the Harvard community, I wear my colours to show support for inclusion and academic freedom.”

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He further stated, “I stand with Harvard and all international students whose dreams and futures are under threat. We must defend academic freedom and global collaboration.”

Chadha had earlier announced in March that he was selected by Harvard University for a leadership programme on Global Leadership and Public Policy, which took place from March 5 to 13.

Trump Administration Revokes Harvard’s Certification

The reaction came in response to the Trump administration’s decision to revoke Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), effectively stopping it from enrolling new international students and affecting the legal status of current foreign students. The administration accused the university of failing to maintain a safe campus and claimed that foreign nationals involved in anti-American and anti-Semitic activities were being protected on campus.

Harvard Vows Support For International Students

Following this, Harvard responded by saying it would stand with its international community and offer both legal and emotional support to affected students. The university denied the allegations and said it had followed all legal procedures and responded to government requests.

According to Harvard, the action taken by the federal government was an attempt to control its academic operations. The university said this was part of a series of efforts to interfere with its independence and freedom.

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Harvard has filed a legal case against the move, calling it unlawful and politically driven. A judge has put the order on hold temporarily, stating that it could violate constitutional rights.

Over 6,800 Foreign Students At Risk

At present, Harvard University has around 6,800 international students from over 100 countries, most of whom are pursuing postgraduate courses. The university reaffirmed its commitment to remaining open to the world and supporting students affected by the decision.