Brother of the victim writes to the chief minister and district magistrate
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — A Muslim student has been expelled from an inter-college in the Uttar Pradesh city of Bareilly for keeping a beard. The case, involving Farman Ali, a student at the Azad Naurang Inter College in Hobiganj, has drawn widespread attention after a video of the incident went viral on social media.
According to reports, Zeeshan Ali, the elder brother of the expelled student, has lodged formal complaints with the chief minister and the district magistrate. The video, which shows Farman being refused entry into the college by the principal, has been widely circulated, prompting calls for action.
Zeeshan Ali alleges that Farman, who is a resident of Mohalla Nai Basti, was pressured by the college principal to shave his beard. Over the past month, Farman faced threats of expulsion and failure if he did not comply. On July 31, when Farman arrived at the college with his beard intact, the principal reportedly refused to let him attend classes, stating, “This is a college, not a madrasa. Cut your beard; you can’t study like this here.” The principal then expelled Farman from the premises.
The incident has prompted Zeeshan to file complaints with the district magistrate and chief minister’s office, demanding immediate action. “We have appealed for a resolution and sought an explanation for this unjust treatment,” Zeeshan said.
Principal Ram Achal Kharwar has denied the allegations, asserting that the expulsion was due to Farman’s non-compliance with the college’s uniform policy. “This is not a madrasa; it is an inter-college. The student was not following the dress code and was also coming late,” Kharwar said. He also refuted claims that there was a government order against students with beards.
In response to the family’s request for an official order, Kharwar reportedly became defensive, threatening legal action if they persisted. “Do not teach us the law. If you try to be too smart, we will file a case under the SC Act and send you to jail,” Kharwar allegedly told the family. “Both your and your brother’s careers will be ruined.”
The video has incited public outrage and has been highlighted by various news outlets. TV9 Hindi reported that the principal’s actions were harsh and discriminatory. A local newspaper Amar Ujala also has released a video in this regard in which Zeeshan is seen arguing with the principal. The principal is seen threatening and using immoral language.
District School Inspector Devki Singh has stated that no formal complaint has yet been received. He assured of proper and thorough investigation once a complaint is filed.
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions around religious and cultural expression within educational institutions. As the investigation continues, the case remains a focal point of debate, highlighting issues of discrimination and the treatment of minority students in educational settings.
