Prof. Joseph makes it back to life
Two years after his right palm was chopped off by alleged activists of the Popular Front of India (PFI), T.J. Joseph, former professor of Newman College, Thodupuzha, is still battling physical disability.
The palm that was stitched back, his left hand and left leg still give him a great deal of pain and discomfort.
Joseph, who underwent at least four major surgeries after the attack on July 4, 2010, had to face the bitterest battle of all when the college sacked for “for trying to vitiate communal harmony”.
The financial and moral support from friends and well-wishers is what keeps him going on now.
“I learned to write with the left hand and I still struggle with the fingers in the right hand as I can’t fold them. I also can’t fold the little finger in my left hand. I can’t walk properly as I had multiple fractures on the left leg as well,” he said.
Joseph underwent the last surgery on June 20 to get the fingers on his right hand corrected.
The professor was attacked by a seven-member gang for setting a question paper which allegedly had disparaging remarks about the Prophet Mohammed. While the gang was arrested, two are still at large and the case is yet to come up for trial.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) which conducted the probe is yet to file the final chargesheet.
The case Joseph filed against the college management is before the University Appellate Tribunal in Thiruvananthapuram. “I have two more years of service and I hope I will be reinstated as I have done nothing wrong,” he said.
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