Tensions rose at the Parala Maharaja Engineering College in Berhampur, Odisha, after seven students were expelled from their hostel for allegedly cooking beef. The incident, which took place on Wednesday night, led to unrest within the student community, prompting college authorities to take action. Additional police personnel were deployed on the college premises to maintain order and prevent any potential escalation of the situation.


The dean of students’ welfare announced the expulsion through an official notification on Thursday. The notification stated that the students were involved in "restricted activities" that violated the “rules and code of conduct of the Hall of Residence.” Although the exact nature of the restricted activities was not explicitly stated, sources reported that the students had cooked beef in the hostel, which led to disciplinary action. The Indian Express also reported that one of the expelled students was fined ₹2,000.

Complaint and Investigation

According to reports, another group of hostel boarders lodged a formal complaint with the dean after learning about the incident. The complaint expressed discomfort and unease among the students following the alleged cooking of beef. It emphasized the need for action to address the situation, citing the importance of respecting the values and beliefs of the entire student body.

The complaint read: “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. I kindly request strict action to be taken against the boarders involved in the incident.”

Following the complaint, the college authorities conducted an inquiry into the incident. The investigation revealed that the students had indeed engaged in activities that were deemed inappropriate for the college hostel, which led to their immediate expulsion.

External Reactions

The situation quickly attracted attention from external groups, including members of the Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), who visited the college and met with the principal. Both groups demanded strict action against the students involved in the incident. The presence of these groups, known for their hardline views on religious and cultural matters, further heightened tensions at the college.

Speaking to the media, a representative from the Bajrang Dal stated, “We strongly condemn this incident. It is unacceptable for students to engage in activities that hurt the sentiments of others. We demand that the college administration take strict and appropriate action to prevent such incidents from happening again.”

In response to the growing pressure, the college authorities assured all parties that they were taking the necessary steps to ensure that the situation was handled in accordance with the rules and regulations of the institution. They emphasized the importance of maintaining harmony and mutual respect within the student community, particularly in a diverse setting like a college hostel.

A Broader Context

This incident is not an isolated one. Earlier this month, a school in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district made headlines when a video surfaced of a principal allegedly expelling a seven-year-old student for bringing non-vegetarian food (biryani) to school. In the video, the principal could be seen making derogatory remarks as the student’s mother questioned why her child was being expelled over food preferences.

The incident in Uttar Pradesh sparked outrage and raised concerns about the increasing sensitivity around food habits in educational institutions. Following the public backlash, the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) of Amroha, Sudhir Kumar, announced that the basic shiksha adhikari (BSA) and district inspector of schools had been instructed to investigate the matter thoroughly. The outcome of that inquiry is still awaited.