Seven engineering students from a state -run college in Odisha were expelled for allegedly cooking and consuming beef inside their hostel room.
Tensions rose in Falguni Hostel at Parala Maharaja Engineering College (PMEC) in Berhampur, Odisha after seven students were expelled over the allegations of cooking beef. Police personnels were deployed around the college campus to control the situation.
The expelled students allegedly cooked beef in the premises of the hostel on Wednesday night. Following this, a complaint was raised to the Dean, Professor Chittaranjan Monhanty by extremists groups from Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leading to the students’ expulsion.
The Gopalpur police conducted an inquiry after an FIR made by VHP members but there is no confirmation about the allegations yet. Locals alleged to the media that college administration acted mainly due to external pressure.
The notice alleged that the students violated the “rules and code of conduct of Hall of Residence” by being involved in “restricted activities.” Although no comment was made on what these restricted activities were, the students were expelled and a fine of Rs 2,000 was imposed on one of the students.
“The Dean Students’ Welfare, Parala Maharaja Engineering College Berhampur, has expelled the following boulders from the respective halls of residence (HoRs) with the approval of competent authority for their involvement in restricted activities in room number B-23 of Falguni hostel on the night of September 11,” read the complaint.
“As a diverse community, we have to understand the importance of respecting the values and beliefs of all students. This incident has caused unrest and discomfort, leading to a tense atmosphere. I kindly request strict action to be taken against the boarders involved in the incident.”
The students were expelled the very next day. Five of them are Muslims, confirmed media reports.
A group from Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad visited the college and met the principal and protested demanding stricter punishment for the students.
Dr Siba Prasad Das, a prominent surgeon in Berhampur expressed shock over the expulsion and another resident stressed on lack of evidence and criticized the colleges’ actions.
A political analyst, Sabita Mohanty showed concerns about the incident further strengthening the saffron influence in the locality and noted that the college must act based on evidence and not by any external pressure.
