Vaniya Agrawal Shares Microsoft Resignation Letter After Protesting Gaza

India-West News Desk

SEATTLE, WA- Vaniya Agrawal, a software engineer, has shared her resignation letter from Microsoft, citing ethical concerns over the company’s reported involvement in military technology used in Gaza. Her decision followed a public protest during Microsoft’s 50th anniversary celebration on March 4.

In her company-wide email, Agrawal cited an Associated Press investigation revealing Microsoft’s $133 million contract with Israel’s Ministry of Defense. She called Microsoft “a digital weapons manufacturer that powers surveillance, apartheid, and genocide.”

Agrawal, who joined Microsoft in 2023 as a software engineer in the Artificial Intelligence division, made news when she interrupted a panel featuring Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, and Satya Nadella at the company’s Redmond headquarters.

“50,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been murdered using Microsoft technology,” she shouted. “How dare you? Shame on all of you for celebrating on their blood,” referencing Microsoft’s $133 million cloud and AI contract with Israel’s Ministry of Defence.

Soon after, Agrawal and another employee involved in the protest resigned but she was dismissed shortly after the event, even before the two week notice, came into effect.

Agrawal holds a degree in Software Engineering from Arizona State University. She began her tech career at Amazon in 2019, where she worked for over three years before joining Microsoft.

Her professional journey includes earlier roles outside tech. From 2012 to 2014, she also ran an Etsy shop, Vannushka, selling handmade goods.