NEW DELHI: South Asian University (SAU) has expelled a Bangladeshi doctoral scholar and fined the students’ mess secretary Rs 5,000 for their role in a clash over the serving of non-vegetarian food on Maha Shivratri earlier this year. The disciplinary action follows an internal inquiry by the university’s Proctorial Committee.The February 26 incident saw an altercation in the university mess between two student groups after fish curry was served on the Hindu festival. According to students, members affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad had earlier requested that only vegetarian food be provided on Maha Shivratri as many were observing fasts. When fish curry appeared on the menu, ABVP members allegedly attempted to remove it from the serving counter, leading to a heated exchange and physical scuffle. A female member of the mess committee was allegedly manhandled during the confrontation.The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) accused ABVP members of trying to impose their dietary preferences on others and termed the incident an attack on secular values. ABVP, however, said the serving of non-vegetarian food on a fasting day was “insensitive” and disrupted religious harmony. Police received a PCR call about the ruckus, but officers found no active clash on arrival and no formal complaint was filed, leaving the university to handle the matter internally.After weeks of deliberation, the university found doctoral scholar Sudipto Das guilty of “serious misconduct” and ordered his immediate expulsion, citing repeated instances of indiscipline. He has been permanently barred from reapplying to any SAU programme and instructed to vacate his hostel within 24 hours. The university also noted that Das had previously been warned over a suspension in 2022 for similar disruptive behaviour. Mess secretary Yashada Sawant, while not directly involved in the confrontation, was held responsible for failing to maintain order in the mess and was fined Rs 5,000. The office order, issued on July 15, stated that the disciplinary action was taken with the approval of the competent authority.