What's On Ranjani Srinivasan's CV? A Look Into Her Scholar's Journey And Controversial Exit From The US

New Delhi: Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian scholar and doctoral candidate in urban planning at Columbia University's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP), has recently made headlines for reasons beyond her impressive academic and professional achievements. For the unversed, her visa was revoked by the US government for participating in pro-Palestinian protests, leading to self-deportation on March 11.

Amid the ongoing controversy, Abhijeet Iyer Mitra, an activist and scholar of international relations, shared insight on her academic profile and the number of scholarships attained by Ranjani Srinivasan over the years.

Worth asking the question also why the Mittal’s are funding hard core terror ism sympathisers and anti India voices through Harvard? Cc @AmitShah @AmitShahOffice @HMOIndia

Worth asking the question also why the Mittal’s are funding hard core terror ism sympathisers and anti India voices through Harvard? Cc @AmitShah @AmitShahOffice @HMOIndia https://t.co/ziivGn9N0y pic.twitter.com/wl1l1KJ1Tv

— Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) March 15, 2025

Ranjani Holds Fulbright Nehru Scholarship 

Ranjani holds a bachelor’s in design from CEPT University in Ahmedabad and was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Nehru and Inlaks Scholarships to pursue a master’s degree in critical conservation at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. Her graduate research, titled “Gold & Cyanide: Family, Caste, and the Post-extractive Landscape at Kolar Gold Fields,” delved into the intricate dynamics of caste rights within extractive economies in postcolonial India. This work was supported by the Lakshmi Mittal South Asia Institute.  

Inlaks Scholarship

One of India's most prestigious scholarships, the Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship, is awarded to exceptional students pursuing opportunities at leading international institutions. Securing this scholarship indicates Ranjani's exemplary academic record and the promise she demonstrated in contributing meaningfully to her field.

Lakshmi Mittal Foundation Support

The Lakshmi Mittal Foundation was also backing Ranjani’s research focused on exploring critical issues at the intersection of caste, extractive economies, and postcolonial India. Ranjani was also constantly active in environmental conservation and urban planning. She worked as a project associate at a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., advocating for critical landscapes and communities vulnerable to climate change. Additionally, they served as an urban researcher for the West Philadelphia Landscape Project (WPLP) at MIT and conducted field research for international development agencies across South Asia.

ALSO READ: How Indian Student Ranjani Srinivasan Advocated Violence Terrorism as per Trump Government

The Visa Controversy

The controversy surrounding Ranjani began when her F-1 student visa was revoked by the US Department of Homeland Security. The revocation was reportedly linked to their participation in pro-Palestinian protests, which the US government alleged were supportive of Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation. Following the visa cancellation on March 5, 2025, Ranjani self-deported on March 11.

Ranjani Srinivasan's story is a complex interplay of academic brilliance, professional dedication, and political controversy with many layers yet to be unfolded.