Seven students expelled from Odisha's Parala Maharaja Engineering College for allegedly cooking beef in hostel

Seven students of Parala Maharaja Engineering College, a state-run institution in Berhampur, Odisha, were expelled from their hostel for allegedly cooking beef, which is a restricted activity on campus, an official said. The college administration issued the expulsion order on Thursday, addressing the violations.

Violation of Code of Conduct

The college confirmed that the students, all residents of two hostels, were found cooking beef in a hostel room on Wednesday. This act was deemed a breach of institutional rules and the established code of conduct.

“A section of college students drew the attention of the principal of the institution about the incident. The action was taken against the students after an inquiry,” an official stated.

Disciplinary Actions and Penalties

As part of the disciplinary action, one of the seven students was fined Rs 2,000. The parents of all the expelled students were informed of the decision, as per the institution's standard procedures.

Protests from Activist Groups

Activist groups, including members of Bajrang Dal and VHP, demanded strict action against the students involved. In response to the situation, local authorities deployed a police team near the college campus and hostels to prevent any potential disruptions.

The incident has highlighted ongoing debates surrounding cultural practices and their place in public institutions.