Seven students from minority and tribal communities at the state-run Parla Maharaja Engineering College in Berhampur, Odisha, have been expelled from their hostel following accusations of cooking beef.

The expulsion comes after a complaint from other students and a push from Right-wing activists to the college authorities leading to heightened tension on the campus and the deployment of a police platoon to maintain order.

Hostel warden Raghunandan Swain, however, confirmed that while no beef was confiscated, cooking utensils had been seized.

According to a notification from the dean of students’ welfare, the expulsion was a result of the students’ involvement in activities deemed “restricted” under the hostel rules.

The notification specified that the students were expelled from Falguni Hall of Residence for breaching hostel regulations on September 11, 2024. In addition to their expulsion, a fine of ₹2,000 was imposed.

The notification said: “The Dean of Students’ Welfare, Maharaja Engineering College, Berhampur, has expelled the following boarders from the respective halls of residence (HoR), with the approval of the competent authority, for their involvement in restricted activities in room number B-23 of Falguni HoR on 11.09.2024 night, which has violated HoR rules and code of conduct.”

Of the seven students, six are Muslims and one is a tribal. The students, from the second- and third-year batches, are pursuing courses in electrical and electronics, electronics and telecommunications, and computer science engineering. Berhampur has a sizeable minority population.

Sources said that the students had purchased beef from a local market and were preparing it in their room. This was reported by other hostel residents, prompting an immediate response from the authorities. Warden Swain told The Telegraph: “We have not seized any beef from the students. We have seized the cooker and other utensils.”

Then why were the students expelled? Swain replied: “According to the (hostel) rules, no resident is allowed to cook inside the room. They have violated the law. During admissions, every student gives an undertaking to follow the rules and procedures. We need to maintain discipline.” Nearly 1,800 of the 2,400 students reside in the hostels on the college campus.

The college dean, Professor Purna Chandra Biswal, refused to comment on the issue.

“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 tense atmosphere,” the welfare body said in their complaint.

Sources said the authorities took the action after
Right-wing activists reportedly met the principal and dean of students’ welfare and demanded steps against the seven students.