Odisha: 7 students expelled from college for 'cooking beef'
What's the story
Seven students from the Parala Maharaja Engineering College in Berhampur, Odisha, were expelled from their hostel after allegedly cooking beef. The Dean of Students's Welfare issued a notification stating that the students were involved in "restricted activities" that violated the "rules and code of conduct of Hall of Residence." However, no official comment was made regarding what these "restricted activities" were.
Tension prevails
Unrest and discomfort among students
The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday night when the expelled students were allegedly involved in cooking beef within the hostel premises. This led to a complaint by another group of boarders who reported the incident to the Dean. The complaint stated, "As a diverse community, we understand the importance of respecting the values and beliefs of all students... This incident (the alleged cooking of beef) has caused unrest and discomfort, leading to [a] tense atmosphere."
External intervention
Bajrang Dal, VHP demand strict action
The incident also drew the attention of the Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), whose workers visited the college demanding strict action. A source from within the college stated that an inquiry was conducted based on complaints from a group of boarders. Following the inquiry, the students were expelled based on its findings. They have since left the campus. In addition to expulsion, one of the students was also fined ₹2,000.