Anoop Varghese Kuriappuram
Salomi, wife of Prof T. J. Jospeh committed suicide on march 19th
2014, ending almost 4 years of mental agony she and her family were
subjected to. Prof. Jospeh’s hand was severed by activists of a
fundamentalist organization on 4th
July 2010, the case is being investigated by NIA.
Allegations are alive that the act was the execution of a Taliban model
court order, which was confirmed by the Home minister in the floor of the assembly.
Issue began with Prof. Joesph using a passage
adapted from malayalam film director P. T. Kunju Muhammed's book,
Thirakathayude Reethisasthram (Methodology of Screenplay), published by
Kerala State Institute of Languages. It was used
in a question paper for class tests. Below are the English and malayalam
version of the same.
|
Original text in Malayalam
മുഹമ്മദ്:
പടച്ചോനേ
പടച്ചോനേ
ദൈവം: എന്താടാ നായിന്റെ മോനേ മുഹമ്മദ്: ഒരു അയില അതു മുറിച്ചാല് എത്ര കഷണമാണ് ദൈവം: മൂന്നു കഷണമാണെന്ന് എത്ര തവണ ഞാൻ പറഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ടെടാ നായേ |
Punctuated English translation
Muhammad: Creator! Creator!
God: What is it, you son of a bitch? Muhammad: A mackerel, if cut, would be how many pieces? God: How many times have I told you that there would be three pieces, you dog? |
Fundamentalists allege that naming of
character as Muhammed was done to defame prophet Mohammed. Allegation of blasphemy was propagated by Madhyamam daily.
After the violent protests and communal instigation
in Thodupuzha area, where 'New Man' College is situated, professor
surrendered in police station. College which suspended him over this
issue, got red faced when a university administrative system exonerated
him. He was refused to be taken back in service as
the church controlled management alleged that “he caused distress to
another community”.
His family was in deep financial crisis for a well
to do family to fund health care, children’s education and regular
expense.Salomy committed suicide once she was sure that Prof T. J. Jospeh
will not be taken back to service as he is due
for getting retired on March 31st. After her suicide the
church’s diocese led management was under deep criticism from various
quarters due to it’s lack of compassionate treatment towards Prof T. J.
Joseph. There is news in media that Professor Joseph
will be taken back to service.
This article attempts to examine issues involved
and failure of secular progressive forces in effectively intervening to
prevent such disasters.
Examining the issue itself gives us a question that
if there are sacred names to be used in our vocabulary. Issue itself
will be tendered invalid in the first examination as it is a matter of
interpretation. Forcefully imposing one section’s
interpretation on another is a hue of fascim.
What we can see is there was organized effort to
spread rumors and lies that Prof. Joseph was anti-muslim and he
framed the questions in order to hurt religious sentiments. Progressive
forces which should oppose this dangerous trend were
seen mute in most junctures. There were instances of calling his act as an avoidable mistake by many in left brigade which was apparently a boost for right wing fundamentalists.
There is a section of left who were trying to
appease muslims by softening tone and reaching out to the minority sections
by means of various initiatives. When his hand was cut and he was
suspended/ dismissed left parties carefully avoided
leading the attack against right wing fundamentalists and college
management. Left was apprehensive of getting labelled as anti-Muslim
or anti-Church. Instead of choosing to say Prof Joseph may have done an
unintended mistake, main left leaders chose
to remain silent. It has to be seen in context of left brigade doing a
spirited defence of MF Hussain over his painting controversy.
Once he was dismissed from service, many organisations including BJP formed committees to help him. But none was helpful; his family faced a social isolation and was cut from mainstream life. Progressive forces which should have taken lead in
agitation against church’s management has refrained in doing the same,
again votes of christians was not to be disturbed.
We can see the same thread running in many
instances in state. That is facing ire of religious or communal
institutions if some one dares to speak against there stance.Media and powerful political sections will join hands in attacking the
personality who spoke. Examples are numerous but glaring one’s being
Amrithanada Mayi Mutt allegations and denial of Idukki LS seat to PT
Thomas over locking horns with diocese. Theocracy seem to be the right
word for Kerala’s system to use if acts such
as this continues.
We cannot forget that creating this dominance of
communal forces, liberation struggle of 1959 against elected communist
government has played a key role. Left brigade is seen mute in many
cases. Left forces at this juncture of time, should spare
energy in leading a secular attack against religion’s interference in
social and political life of state. It will actually strengthen the
political base of left than any electoral adjustments.
“Free politics from religion and caste” is the slogan which conveys
the correct message. This movement will do a great deal in
weakening identity politics and will re-establish
class politics in state, which is swept aside now.
