Misa Bharti says she delivered lecture at Harvard, varsity junks claim

Harvard University has rubbished claims by Misa Bharti, daughter of Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Yadav, that she was invited as a speaker at its India Conference this week, reports said on Tuesday.

Misa had posted pictures on her Facebook page on March 7 which shows her on the stage addressing the audience. The photograph has a caption in Hindi saying "Giving a lecture on the role of youth at Harvard."

Harvard issued a clarification after the 40-year-old released photos to newspapers in Bihar along with a press release saying she delivered a lecture at the prestigious American university. The conference was held on March 7-8.

The university released a statement saying, "Misa Bharti was invited as part of the audience and not as a speaker of any panel at the India Conference at Harvard. Her attendee status can also be confirmed from the fact that she had to purchase a ticket as an audience. She was not invited to deliver any lecture."

It said that the Harvard Kennedy School Communications Department has taken cognisance and is looking into the matter.

Misa allegedly went on stage after the conference ended, took photographs and released it to newspapers.

"Misa did not deliver any lecture and therefore no local US newspaper covered her lecture. She did not deliver any lecture and therefore we do not have any official pictures or videos," the university added.

First Published: Mar 10, 2015 15:24 IST