College rejects lecturer's plea to join service

Thiruvananthapuram: Ignoring public outcry, the management of a church-run college has rejected the plea of dismissed lecturer T J Joseph, whose hand was chopped off by radical activists, to reinstate him.

In his reply to Joseph's appeal, College Manager Fr Thomas Malekkudy made it clear on Thursday that the lecturer's explanations were not convincing at all and any relaxation of disciplinary action would be based only on the court decision, church sources said.

The Newman college's tough position came after the Syndicate of Mahatma Gandhi University directed the college to reconsider the decision to sack Joseph as due procedures were not followed by college authorities.

The college held that Joseph, in his reply to letters sent by the college since the controversy broke out after he set a question paper with alleged derogatory reference to Prophet Mohammed, had never admitted he committed a serious mistake.

Instead, the management said, after the question paper sparked controversy and created social unrest, the lecturer had tried to shed personal responsibility and sought to put the blame on the college principal and the management.

"The serious mistake committed by Joseph was acknowledged by the government itself by charging a case against you," the letter to Joseph said.

Reacting to the Syndicate's stand, the college authorities on Thursday said they would respond to it after getting the order in writing.

Joseph was suspended from service in March last after the Malayalam question paper sparked an outcry from Muslim outfits.

A gang waylaid Joseph while he was returning from church at Muvvattupuzha on July 4 and his right hand chopped off.

Popular Front of India is suspected to be behind the attack on Joseph and several of its activists have been arrested.

The college's decision to sack Joseph had led to public outcry with several intellectuals, writers, activists and others rallying behind him and condemning his dismissal.

Two days ago, Joseph made a personal plea to the college management to take him back to service as his family relied totally on the income from his job.