• Home
  • World News
  • Indian-American Tech Veteran Vaniya Agrawal Slams Microsoft Executives over Gaza War, Resigns in Protest

Indian-American Tech Veteran Vaniya Agrawal Slams Microsoft Executives over Gaza War, Resigns in Protest

At the company's 50th birthday party, Vaniya Agrawal spoke to Microsoft leaders Steve Ballmer, Bill Gates, and Satya Nadella.

Indian-American Tech Veteran Vaniya Agrawal Slams Microsoft Executives over Gaza War, Resigns in Protest

Indian-American computer scientist Vaniya Agrawal called out the company's leadership publicly at Microsoft's 50th anniversary event at its Redmond, Washington headquarters for its purported link to the Israeli military. The event, which included current CEO Satya Nadella and former CEOs Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, was interrupted when Agrawal stood up and accused Microsoft of facilitating violence in Gaza.


Agrawal, who became a Software Engineer II in Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence department in 2023, accused the firm of helping Palestinians be killed with its technology.She asserted, "Fifty thousand Palestinians in Gaza have been killed with Microsoft technology. How dare you. Shame on all of you for joyously drinking in their blood. End your relationship with Israel."


This protest came on the heels of another incident at the event, in which another worker, Ibtihal Aboussad, disrupted a speech by AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman condemning Microsoft's AI sales to the Israeli military. She asserted, "Fifty thousand Palestinians in Gaza have been killed with Microsoft technology. How dare you. Shame on all of you for joyously drinking in their blood. End your relationship with Israel."
This protest came on the heels of another incident at the event, in which another worker, Ibtihal Aboussad, disrupted a speech by AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman condemning Microsoft's AI sales to the Israeli military.


In a follow-up company-wide email, Agrawal made public her resignation, indicating that April 11 would be her last day at work. She explained that she could no longer, in good conscience, be part of a company whose efforts she feels have facilitated genocide by Israel.

 

Agrawal referenced reports revealing Microsoft's purported role in facilitating Israel's military operations and spying powers
On her LinkedIn profile, Agrawal has indicated that she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering from Arizona State University in 2016-2019, graduating summa cum laude. Agrawal also received the Grace Hopper Scholarship by ASU.


Microsoft said that it is committed to letting employees freely express themselves without interrupting business. News accounts report, however, that both Agrawal and Aboussad were subsequently deprived of access to their work accounts, a sign of disciplinary action.
The events reflect increased internal discontent within Microsoft about the company's role in international armed conflicts, more particularly in Gaza, where huge casualties have been seen since October 2023.

 


Pakistan Fires at Indian Positions Along LoC in Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor; Indian Army Acts in Retaliation

Pakistan Fires at Indian Positions Along LoC in Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor; Indian Army Acts in Retaliation

The gunfire, including heavy shelling and small arms firing, killed two Indian soldiers and injured ...
China Backs Pakistan, Urges Restraint After Deadly Pahalgam Terror Strike

China Backs Pakistan, Urges Restraint After Deadly Pahalgam Terror Strike

In the aftermath of the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 tourists wer...
Pope Francis Dies at 88: A Legacy of Compassionate Conservatism on Abortion, LGBTQ Rights, and Church Reform

Pope Francis Dies at 88: A Legacy of Compassionate Conservatism on Abortion, LGBTQ Rights, and Church Reform

Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from Latin America, died on ...
FSU Campus Shooting: 2 Dead, 6 Injured in Horrific Florida State University Shooting

FSU Campus Shooting: 2 Dead, 6 Injured in Horrific Florida State University Shooting

The shooting at Florida State University was done with the help of a pistol by the suspect, Phoenix ...
US Vice President JD Vance to Visit India, Likely to Meet PM Modi and Discuss Cultural Relations

US Vice President JD Vance to Visit India, Likely to Meet PM Modi and Discuss Cultural Relations

The vice president will have an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India when he is in Ne...
US President Donald Trump Suspends Tariffs on Most Countries, Imposes 125% Tariff on Chinese Imports in Brash Trade Action

US President Donald Trump Suspends Tariffs on Most Countries, Imposes 125% Tariff on Chinese Imports in Brash Trade Action

In the immediate wake of the US President's signing of a 90-day suspension of retaliatory tariff...
Trump's 26% Tariffs on Indian Goods Come into Effect, Igniting Trade Row and Economic Alert

Trump's 26% Tariffs on Indian Goods Come into Effect, Igniting Trade Row and Economic Alert

On Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump's massive 26% tariffs on India took effect. &nbs...
India Ships 442 Tonnes of Relief Food to Earthquake-Ravaged Myanmar Under Operation Karuna

India Ships 442 Tonnes of Relief Food to Earthquake-Ravaged Myanmar Under Operation Karuna

An Indian naval ship delivered 442 metric tonnes of relief food to Thilawa Port, about 400 kilometre...
PM Modi in Sri Lanka: Ceremonial Welcome in Colombo as India, Lanka Look to Seal Crucial Defence, Energy Deals

PM Modi in Sri Lanka: Ceremonial Welcome in Colombo as India, Lanka Look to Seal Crucial Defence, Energy Deals

Also on Saturday, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake accorded PM Modi a ceremonial welcom...
Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 2,000 as Frantic Rescue Efforts Continue

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 2,000 as Frantic Rescue Efforts Continue

Three days since a shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit the country, more than 3,900 individuals hav...