Professor T.J. Joseph.
Thiruvananthapuram: Professor T.J., who teaches Malayalam language at New Man College in Thodupuzha, Kerala. Joseph was once living a life of ease. That all changed one morning when he was returning home with his family after attending Holy Sunday services at a nearby church in his hometown of Muvattupuzha on July 4, 2010. Eight people in an Omni van stopped him on the way, pulled him out of the car and cut off his right palm.
Why was this attack on the professor?
Actually, the professor had prescribed a question paper for second year B.Com students of Newman College. Islamists claimed that they used derogatory words against the Prophet Muhammad. Activists of Popular Front of India carried out this cowardly act that shook the entire Kerala after the alleged verdict of an illegal court at Erattupeta in Kottayam district. Joseph’s troubles did not end there, he was dismissed from the college by Christian Management and his wife Salomi committed suicide in 2014.
These events broke Joseph badly. In his autobiography ‘Attapokatha Oramkal’ (Unforgettable Memories) he poured out all the pain of his life and this book won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. It has been translated into English. The name of the book is ‘A Thousand Cuts: An Innocent Question and Deadly Answer’. After the central government banned PFI for 5 years, Kerala Police sealed its offices and put all the big leaders behind the bars. In a short interview, Joseph spoke his heart out like this:
Question: Popular Front of India But what is your opinion about the Indian government’s ban?
Joseph: I was a victim of his antics on 4th July 2010. You all know about this and what will the person who has gone through it say in this matter? If I were an ordinary citizen, I would have a clear view on this. I don’t have much to comment about the ban imposed by the Indian government on the Popular Front of India. Sometimes it is better to remain silent and many of the victims of Popular Front attacks are still not alive. Showing solidarity with those people, I am also not speaking. They can’t speak and likewise I am silent. Although this is a political decision of the Government of India, it is somewhat related to national security and it is better for leaders, organizations and others to speak on it.
Question: After banning Popular Front, an ecosystem is developing in Kerala and rest of the country that PFI and RSS are two sides of the same coin and RSS should also be banned. What would you say on this?
Joseph: You RSS Like how can you compare a nationalist organization with the Popular Front of India? RSS is a nationalist organization, which has immense love for the country. He also aspires to make our culture and our great nation one of the best in the world. Popular Front has a different approach and everyone knows what they have done here. The charge sheet given during the ban itself tells what they were doing.
Question: You were not in India and to my knowledge you were in Ireland. What was the program there?
Joseph: I was in Ireland with my daughter and came back a few days ago. I addressed more than 10 small gatherings in Ireland. Actually it was a gathering of Keralites in Ireland. On my return I also attended 5 meetings in the United Kingdom.
Question: do you think that PFI But will the ban reduce the extremist nature of such people?
Joseph: The Indian government has banned that organization for specific reasons that may be related to national security. If the government and other agencies keep a proper watch on the activities of such people, the chances of reorganization are very less.