PROTEST AGAINST ATTACK ON COLLEGE PROFESSOR

PROTEST AGAINST ATTACK ON
COLLEGE PROFESSOR

The Kerala Private College Teachers Association staged protests across the state on Tuesday 6th July,2010 against the attack on Mr T.J Joseph, Professor and Head of the Department of Malayalam at Newmen College, Thodupuzha, by anti social elements on Sunday4th July.
The Kerala State has been noted historically for the peaceful co-exixtence of different faiths and beliefs. This act of barbarism.It was a planned operation carried out with brutal intent adds to the shock. The Management of the College concerned had suspended the teacher for an in appropriate reference to the prophet that appeared in an examination question paper and apologised for the aberration. The law has been taking course and a criminal case against the teacher was being persued. The culprits need to be apprehended and prosecuted immediately.
There is a larger lesson that Freedom of expression has increasingly come under attack from religious fanatics in democratic and secular India and it is the duty of society and the political system to intervene more effectively to defend those who are targeted even if they express un popular views.
There is no second opinion that the action of T.J Joseph in setting a question paper offending the sentiments of muslims was wrong. The attack on him by activists of the popular front of India,chopping off his palm is highly condemnable. No religion or ideology sanctions such a barbaric act.
The brutal incident could take place in a state like Kerala, known for its centuries old religious amity, is indeed shocking. A heartening feature which cutting across political lines,condemned the act with out reserv ation. Unfortunately social activists and the intelligentsia have not reacted strongly to the barbaricc act. It is time peoples from all walks of life reacted such incidents strongly. The government should keep a check on foreign and domestic funds which are used for promoting fundamentalism.
The incident perpetrated by the fundamentalists is non Islamic and against the faith and the teachings of the prophet.

Prof. John Kurakar