KOCHI: Adding insult to injury, a Kerala college has sacked its lecturer whose right hand was chopped off by activists of radical outfit PFI for preparing a controversial Malayalam question paper with alleged derogatory references to Prophet Muhammad.The management of the Christian-run New Man College has informed T J Joseph that he had been removed from September 1 on the grounds that he had hurt religious sentiments, college sources said on Saturday.Joseph reacted with shock to his dismissal saying it was an "unexpected blow" to him and his family while Education Minister M A Baby regretted the management action calling it an "extreme and irrationally negative" step.The Popular Front of India activists had hacked the right hand of Joseph on July 4 when he was returning home with his family from a Church. 30 persons have been arrested so far in connection with the gruesome attack which shocked the country.The lecturer, whose severed hand was sutured, has injuries all over his body and is now recovering at his residence at Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district.The college authorities had issued a show-cause notice to Joseph asking why he should not be removed from service for hurting the religious sentiments of a section of the people.Though Joseph had replied to the notice, the management apparently was not convinced.Joseph said he has not thought of any legal action so far against the management.Joseph's sister Maire Stella said her family did not expect the sack order.Baby said the dismissal besides being an extreme step was even "irrationally negative". He called the attack on Joseph as horrendous."The action exceeds all proportions. He has been punished more than what he deserves for the irresponsible shortcoming he had committed," he added.The minister said the Lecturer had the option to approach the University Tribunal and he hoped this body will take a rational and humane approach on this particular issue.Terming it an "excessive" step, Baby said government would also look into the matter if Joseph gave a complaint."Was such an excessive step necessary in his case", Baby said when reporters sought his comments.Reacting to the college management decision, Joseph said, "This is the harshest punishment me and my family could get."Joseph's sister Stella said the entire family was shocked by the decision to remove him from service.