The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the dismissal of student Mohammad Salim and ordered the school, Nirmala Convent in Madhya Pradesh, to allow him to complete his studies at the institution. Salim had been expelled from the school because he had refused to shave off his beard in compliance with school regulations, arguing that a beard was an essential part of Islam.

The case made headlines earlier in the year when a Bench headed by Justice Markandeya Katju [pictured] dismissed Salim's petition, with Justice Katju orally remarking that secularism could not be stretched too far, lest it lead to "Talibanisation" of the country. The remark due flak from Muslim organizations across the country, and Justice Katju later apologized for the remark. The order was withdrawn, and the review petition was heard by Justices Singhvi and Agrawal. The Bench quashed the school regulation as ridiculous, saying, ""Did they expel you merely because you had a beard? So if you are a Sikh, you will not be able to sport a beard. Tomorrow, they will say you are not fair complexioned. Nowadays, it has become a fashion for some people to pierce their ears for a ring. So will such persons be not allowed to study?"

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