Teesta Setalvad condemns attack on Kerala professor

Anti-communalism activist Teesta Setalvad, secretary and trustee of Citizens for Justice and Peace, has condemned the recent incident in which a Kerala college professor's hand was chopped off.

Professor TJ Joseph Moolvattupuzha's hand was chopped off by some unknown assailants for allegedly framing a question paper in March 2010 that insulted the prophet Mohammed.

Though the identity of the assailants is still being investigated, media reports suggest that the professor was attacked by three persons armed with swords.

Condemning the incident, Setalvad said, "If the questions he had written in the paper were either inflammatory or defamatory, there are surely better, more sane and democratic means to deal with them?

"Are we so fickle in our convictions and in our faith that we cannot tolerate discussion and debate? If the words or thoughts or sentiments of anyone hurt us, do we have the right to resort to barbaric and unlawful means of redressal?" she said.