[Reader-list] Islamic fanatics hack lecturer's hand

[Pawan Durani]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Taliban-writ-in-Gods-own-country/articleshow/6129310.cms
<http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Taliban-writ-in-Gods-own-country/articleshow/6129310.cms>
KOCHI: A private college lecturer, out on bail after being arrested for
preparing a question paper with objectionable reference to the Prophet which
triggered protests by Muslims, was attacked and his right hand severed by
unidentified persons at Muvattupuzha on Sunday.

Mr T J Joseph was dragged out of his car and hacked with sharp weapons by
assailants while he was returning from a church along with his family,
including his sister and mother. His right hand was severed while he
suffered cuts in his left leg, they said. 52-year-old Joseph was rushed to a
private hospital here where he is undergoing a surgery.

A Malayalam lecturer at Newman College in Thodupuzha in Idukki district, Mr
Joseph was arrested in April last after the question paper which he had set
for the BCom II year internal exams sparked protests by Muslim outfits who
said it had hurt their religious sentiments.

He was later suspended from the college, whose authorities also apologised
for the mistake. Police said they were searching for the assailants,
numbering around eight.

The gang, came in a vehicle with knives, swords and other weapons. The gang
first pushed the family members out of the car and later severed Mr Joseph’s
right hand. Both his hands from the wrist have been severely damaged.
According to his sister, the attackers were young men. There had been three
attacks against Mr Joseph earlier too.

The lecturer was on the run after various Muslim groups protested in
Thodupuzha, a town near here. Thodupuzha remained tense after clashes broke
out in the town and district authorities ordered a ban on the assembly of
people.

Political leaders condemned the incident. In a strongly-worded statement,
the Indian Union Muslim League said two wrongs did not make a right and it
was macabre way of reacting to what the lecturer had done.