Despite widespread criticism against its action, the management of the church-run Newman college rejected the plea of lecturer T.J. Joseph to revoke his dismissal for setting a question paper which hurt the sentiments of Muslims and for which his hand was hacked off by activists of a radical outfit.
In his reply to Mr Joseph’s personal appeal, College manager Thomas Malekkudy made it clear on Thursday that the explanations of Mr Joseph were not (RPT) not convincing at all and any relaxation of the disciplinary action would be based only on the decision of the court, church sources said. The management held that Mr Joseph, in his reply to any of the letters sent by the college since the controversy broke out, had ever admitted that he committed a serious mistake through preparing the controversial question.
Instead, the management maintained, after the question sparked controversy and created social unrest, the lecturer had tried to shed personal responsibility for the situation and sought to put the blame on the college principal and the management.
The serious mistake committed by Mr Joseph was acknowledged by the government itself by charging a case against you, the letter said. The incidentaly the management has toughened its position close on the heels of the Syndicate of Mahatma Gandhi University directing the college to reconsider the decision as the due proceduers were not followed by the college authorities in the case.
Reacting to the Syndicate’s stand, the college authorities on Thursday said they would respond to it on getting the order in writing.
Mr Joseph was suspended from service in March last after a question set by him for the internal examination of Malayalam sparked outcry from Muslim outfits, alleging it contained derogatory references to Prophet Mohammad.
In a shocking turn of event, Mr Joseph was waylaid by a gang while he was returning from church at Muvvattupuzha on a Sunday in July and his right had was chopped off.
Radical outfit Popular Front of India was suspected to be behind the attack on Mr Joseph and several of its activists had been arrested.
Mr Joseph received yet another blow last week with the college management dismissing him from service, an action which triggered much public outcry.
Two days back, Mr Joseph made a personal plea to the college management to take him back to service.
—PTI