Professor T J Joseph was attacked by members of an extremist Muslim group in 2010

Five years after a Kerala professor's right hand was chopped off by Muslim extremists, 13 people have been found guilty by a court in Ernakulum, 10 km from the city of Kochi.In 2010, Professor T J Joseph, who taught Malayalam at a college in the Idukki district, was attacked by members of the Popular Front of India. The extremist group said an exam he conducted included a "blasphemous" question. A mob of men slashed his hand with knives while he was walking home from church after attending Sunday mass with his family.The conviction in the horrific attack came as Professor Joseph, 57, released a book he has written. His right palm has been stitched back together by doctors. "When I wrote these notes, it was with my right hand. Today, I introduce it to you with my left hand," he said at a small event in Idduki."I have forgiven everyone. I just intend to live my life as normally as I can in the given circumstances," he said to NDTV.

It has been a period of extreme strain. After the attack, he was suspended by his college based on demands by religious groups. His wife, unable to bear the financial stress and social ostracization, committed suicide. Professor Jospeh was then allowed to return to work; he retired last year.The 13 people who have been convicted today will be sentenced on May 5.