Hand of Indian Lecturer Hacked Off By Muslim Fanatics - July 6, 2010

Lecturer TJ Joseph was returning home from church on Sunday when he and his family were accosted by a gang of Islamic extremists.  Joseph was attacked by the fanatics, who accused him of setting a question in an exam that was derogatory toward the Muslim prophet.  They severed his right hand and stabbed him on the left side of his body.

According to the Times of India newspaper, the “horrific instance of Talibanism” occurred Sunday around 8:30 a.m.  According to Joseph’s sister Mary Stella, a nun, “"We had just got into our car when a van pulled up in front. Around eight people armed with swords and knives emerged and pulled out Joseph after smashing the windscreen.  They then chopped off his right hand and stabbed him in the left thigh.”

The women tried to stop the attack but were attacked themselves.  The gang then exploded some bombs and ran off.  A police team recovered the severed hand from a house 200 metres from where the attack took place.  The 52 year old university lecturer was rushed to a private hospital where he remains in serious condition.

Police also recovered the van used by the gang and two men have been taken into custody.  They are said to be activists in a group known as the Popular Front.  A search continues for others who took part in the attack.

This wasn’t the first time that Joseph had faced persecution.  He lectures at church run Newman College in Thodupuzha in Idukki district.  In March of this year, Islamic groups had protested the College because of Joseph.   The college later suspended Joseph who had set the questions and a criminal case was registered against him. The case is pending trial.

The state Home Minister, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told reporters in New Delhi that the police would be probing to determine if any “communal or terrorist outfit” was involved.  The Opposition BJP alleged that the Home Department could not evade responsibility for the growth of terror outfits in Kerala, an state in southwest India.

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