New Delhi, Bhopal:
NDTV Group Editor English, News Barkha Dutt had put a question before Md Salim who was barred by his school for growing beard: So is the beard so important to you that you don't go to school because you are not allowed to keep one?
Md Salim: "I will die but not give up my beard. It's a matter of my faith, it's in my religion."
But now, Salim can go back to school and yes, he can keep his beard.
The Class 10 student was expelled by the Nirmala Convent School in Madhya Pradesh's Vidisha district as he refused to shave his beard.
But on Friday the Supreme Court in an interim order slammed the school saying:
"... tomorrow you will say Sikh students will not be admitted, no fair-complexioned student should be allowed. Nowadays, wearing ear-rings is in fashion. Then students with ear-rings will not be allowed. Prima facie, it's ridiculous."
"One year of precious time was last for the boy. Ultimately, Supreme Court appreciated the problem and gave justice to the boy," said B A Khan, senior advocate.
Last year after the school expelled Salim, he moved Madhya Pradesh High Court but lost the case.
Then he came to Supreme Court, here too, his petition was dismissed.
In a controversial observation, Justice Markandeya Katju had said: "Talibanisation of the country cannot be permitted."
This created a flutter, later Justice Katju apologised and withdrew the dismissal order after which another bench heard the case.
The school says it will respect the Supreme Court order and Salim is only too happy to be vindicated.
"Happy to go back to school after Id," said Md Salim.
Salim does not understand the fuss over a simple beard but the debate continues - does an individual's religious right clash with secular ethos.