Blasphemy: T J Joseph sacked from service

Kochi: New Man College in Kerala has sacked its lecturer T J Joseph, who was in the eye of the storm for preparing a question paper with derogatory references to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
The management of the New Man College has informed Prof. T.J. Joseph that he has been removed from service from September 1, on grounds that he had hurt religious sentiments.
The college authorities had issued a show cause notice to the professor, asking why he should not be removed from service for hurting the religious sentiments of a section of the people. Though Prof. Joseph had replied to the notice, the management was apparently not convinced.
The management New Man College informed that the action to sack the professor was taken as per the recommendation by an enquiry commission constituted by the college after the question paper episode came to the fore. The action is for hurting religious sentiments of a community. Though the blasphemous nature of question paper was pointed out by the DTP operator at the college, Joseph refused to heed it. A student had even protested against the nature of question in the answer sheet. But the teacher didn’t reveal the incident to the management, a press release issued by the management alleged. Had the authorities been informed of the problems in question paper, the untoward incident followed it can be avoided by proper actions, it added.
Meanwhile Prof. Joseph said that he was shocked at his dismissal, terming it an “unexpected blow” to him and his family. He said he has not yet considered legal action against the management.
State Education Minister M.A. Baby said the management’s action was an “extreme and irrationally negative” step. “The action exceeds all proportions. He has been punished more than what he deserves for the irresponsible shortcoming he had committed,” he added.
The Minister said the professor could approach the University Tribunal, and hoped the body would take a rational and humane approach on the issue.
Following the blasphemous question paper, there was an attack against Joseph in which his right hand was chopped off.