Indian Christian’s hand chopped off for insulting Islam

(July 5, 2010) A group of unknown assailants in southern India cut off the hand and the right arm of a Christian professor accused of defaming Mohammed months ago. The execution took place on Sunday morning in Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam district in Kerala state. Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians condemned this "barbaric act" and recalled that "Sharia is not the law of India." According to the police, Prof. TJ Joseph, was returning with his family from Sunday service when a group of people in a Maruti Omni van drew up beside him stopping him close to home. After forcing Joseph to get out of his car, they attacked him with knives and swords, then cut off his hand and right arm throwing them away after about 200 meters. The professor was immediately transported to a hospital in Muvattupuzha and then to another specialized in surgery, where doctors are trying to mend his severed hand. Joseph has also suffered deep wounds to his body and is in need of plastic surgery. Joseph, a professor at Newman's College, Thodupuzha, was free on bail. Last March he had prepared a questionnaire for examinations in the private college and according to the Muslims had included questions offensive to Muhammad. Due to a series of protests by Islamic groups, he was suspended from the college. Later, Joseph publicly apologized for his "unintentional error". Joseph's mother said that in recent months her son continued to receive threats. Some of the persons that police detained are activists of the Popular Front of India, a right wing Muslim group, formerly called the National Development Front, which is very strong in Kerala. The attack on Joseph has been condemned by several Muslim organizations, including the Indian Union Muslim League and the Jama'at-e-Islami, which calls for a significant response against the culprits.