Rajni Srinivasan, a doctoral student in urban planning at Columbia University, has been forced to leave the United States after her visa was canceled by U.S. authorities. She was accused of engaging in pro-Palestine demonstrations and allegedly supporting Hamas. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that her visa was revoked on March 5 for "advocating violence and terrorism."

Rajni, an accomplished scholar, completed her undergraduate studies at CEPT University in Ahmedabad and earned a master’s degree from Harvard University before pursuing her PhD at Columbia. However, her academic journey took an unexpected turn when U.S. officials took strict action against her.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared a video on social media showing Rajni at the airport with her luggage, emphasizing that "anyone who advocates violence and terrorism has no place in the U.S."

Her deportation comes amid heightened tensions at Columbia University, where student protests in support of Palestine have gained widespread attention. The case has sparked international debate and fueled discussions in India, with many questioning the implications of such actions on academic freedom and political expression.