Prof. T J Joseph was the HOD and Professor of Malayalam in a college in Kerala. A question set by him for an internal examination turned his life topsy-turvy. He was accused of blasphemy by religious fanatics for setting that question and the college management, instead of supporting him, as he had no intention of insulting any religion in any manner, stood against him in every possible way, for their own reasons.
Although, the Professor made his side clear by explaining the source and the context of the question, which was from a reference book called ‘Thirakathayude Reethisasthram’ mentioned in the syllabus, and how he has chosen the name used in that question, no one paid any heed to his version of the controversy. And, he had to go to jail.
Days after his release, when he was returning from the church, he was brutally attacked by religious terrorists who chopped off his hands along with a thousand other cuts. He also had to go through a long legal battle, which he won in the end. But, by the time, his losses were far too much, including the life of his wife.
This unfortunate chain of events, that the professor had to suffer through, is beyond anyone’s imagination, for it all started with a trivial controversy. And, these religious fanatics and their act of terrorism, in the name of religion, must be opposed and fought tooth and nail.
English Translation – A Thousand Cuts
