University memo asks Newman College to reinstate Prof Joseph

The management of the Christian-run Newman's College has been asked to reconsider its decision to sack Prof TJ Joseph whose right hand was hacked off by radicals for preparing an exam question paper which allegedly defamed Islam.

The Mahatma Gandhi University, which Newman's College is affiliated to, issued a memo calling for a review of the decision to dismiss Joseph.

The memo was issued on Saturday by university vice chancellor Rajan Gurukkal.

Prof Joseph was suspended from service on charges that he had hurt religious sentiments by preparing the question paper with blasphemous sentences.

Earlier, the Mahatma Gandhi University Syndicate after discussions came to a conclusion that the management had not followed the procedural formalities which should be considered in such incidents.

The syndicate described the action on Joseph as a 'naked violation' of the relevant provision of MG Act and asked the college to revoke the dismissal.

The college however refused to reinstate Prof Joseph and this despite opposition from various quarters. The college maintained that Joseph never admitted to his mistake in his letters to the management.

The college's action was also recently backed by the Kothamangalam diocese of Syro- Malabar Catholic Church which issued a pastoral letter read out in 120 churches during the Sunday mass.

Joseph, who was teaching Malayalam literature, was dismissed from service on September 1.