Kochi: First he had his hand hacked off by radicals, then he was sacked from his job by Kerala's Newman College for making derogatory references to the Prophet in a question paper. And now the Church that runs the college has now supported Joseph's dismissal.

NDTV has a copy of the circular which is to be read out in churches on Sunday.

It backs the decision to dismiss Joseph saying the college was left with no other choice as it had vitiated the communal atmosphere in the area. It also says the lecturer deliberately included the controversial passage in the question paper.

Joseph's dismissal came barely two months after his hand was chopped off by fundamentalists. He now plans to move the University appellate tribunal against the college management's decision.

"I will fight against the management legally for dismissing me from service," he said.

The college management says it can reconsider its decision only if the court asks it to do so. Now Joseph has placed all hopes in the University Tribunal which he believes will give him justice.

Tags: Kerala lecturer, Newman College, TJ Joseph

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