NEW DELHI : The deportation of Columbia University PhD student Ranjani Srinivasan from the United States has ignited a firestorm of debate, with sharp reactions from journalists, analysts, and social media users. Accused of links to a designated terrorist group, Srinivasan was forced to leave the country via self-deportation, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Srinivasan, who was pursuing a doctorate in Urban Studies, allegedly engaged in activities supporting Hamas, leading to the revocation of her F-1 student visa on March 5. She left the U.S. on March 11 using the CBP Home App, a federal immigration tool for self-deportation.
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Senior Journalist and Editor in Chief of The New Indian Aarti Tikoo criticized Srinivasan’s actions, calling them a disgrace to the Indian student community. “As a Columbia alumna, it is deeply embarrassing that an Indian national violated U.S. laws and desecrated a place meant for learning. Indian students are typically hardworking and focused on education, not violent activism. Strict action must be taken against such individuals,” Tikoo wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
As a @Columbia @ColumbiaSIPA alumna from India, it is deeply embarrassing that an Indian national, Ranjani Srinivasan, violated U.S. laws and desecrated the very place where she could have sought enlightenment and education. Her actions have brought disgrace to herself and to the… https://t.co/3H6c2S7tjt
— Aarti Tikoo Singh (@AartiTikoo) March 14, 2025
Defense analyst Rakesh Krishnan Simha was even more scathing, referring to Srinivasan as an “urban naxal” and a Hamas sympathizer. He claimed that she fled the U.S. “like a rat” after the Trump administration intensified scrutiny on individuals linked to extremist ideologies. “Wokes like Srinivasan thought they could get away with attacking Jews in America like they attack Hindus in India. Big mistake,” he added.
Urban Naxal Got Cover as Student of Urban Planning
Ranjani Srinivasan entered the US to study Urban Planning at Columbia University, and also got a Fulbright Scholarship at Harvard. In reality she is an urban naxal who was supporting Hamas terrorists on American campuses. After… pic.twitter.com/6jzLiybgra
— Rakesh Krishnan Simha (@ByRakeshSimha) March 15, 2025
Simha further alleged that her research—funded by the Lakshmi Mittal South Asia Institute—was a front to secure scholarships, questioning whether Fulbright funding was being used to cultivate ideological assets.
While many social media users supported the US government’s decision, emphasizing national security and strict visa regulations, others raised concerns about free speech and due process. Critics argued that the deportation set a dangerous precedent for academic freedom and political expression. Some also questioned the evidence used to justify the visa revocation, calling for transparency in such cases.
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Student organizations and advocacy groups highlighted the growing anxiety among international students in the United States, warning that heightened political sensitivities could lead to more cases like Srinivasan’s.
The incident has also drawn attention to Columbia University’s role in supporting student activists. While the administration reaffirmed its commitment to free expression within federal laws, opinions remain divided on whether the institution has done enough to regulate political activism on campus.
The case has been viewed as part of a broader crackdown under Donald Trump’s administration, which has targeted campus activism perceived as anti-Israel. As debates rage on about the balance between national security and civil liberties, Srinivasan’s deportation continues to fuel intense discussion on United States immigration policies and global academic freedoms.
