Row erupts after University VC insults writer at National Seminar
Bilaspur | Correspondent: The Central University of Bilaspur, named after Guru Ghasidas, has come under nationwide scrutiny following an incident involving the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alok Chakrawal, who allegedly used inappropriate language, made insulting remarks, and displayed uncivil conduct towards an invited guest during an ongoing seminar.
The incident occurred in Bilaspur during a seminar organised by the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, in collaboration with Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya.
According to reports, while delivering his address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Chakrawal engaged in jokes, anecdotes, and self-congratulatory remarks about his own achievements. During the speech, he reportedly looked towards one of the invited guests, noted Hindi storyteller Manoj Rupda, and asked, “Aren’t you getting bored with my talk?”
Rupda responded politely and calmly, suggesting that it would be better to focus on the seminar’s topic.
While such exchanges are often taken lightly in literary and cultural gatherings, Prof. Chakrawal allegedly reacted angrily to Rupda’s response. He reportedly asked, “Who invited him here?” and remarked that Rupda lacked the sense to speak to a Vice-Chancellor. He then publicly humiliated the writer by saying, “You’re becoming a very big storyteller,” and asked him to leave the venue.
Without protest, Manoj Rupda left the hall. However, the matter did not end there. When other writers and professors present objected to the Vice-Chancellor’s conduct, they too were reportedly told to leave if they disagreed.
The most troubling aspect of the incident is that it not only insulted a respected literary figure but also undermined the dignity of a national-level academic and cultural discourse. The issue has since moved beyond a local controversy.
Manoj Rupda is a well-known Hindi writer recognised for his novels, short story collections, and essays that explore themes of displacement, politics, and the environment. His notable works include the novels Kaale Adhyaay (translated as I Named My Sister Silence) and Pratisansaar, as well as short story collections such as Dafan Tatha Anya Kahaniyan. He has received several literary honours, including the Indu Sharma Katha Puraskar and the Vanmali Katha Samman.
The seminar, jointly organised by the Sahitya Akademi and Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, was titled “Contemporary Hindi Short Story: Changing Life Contexts.” Several prominent writers, including Jaya Jadwani, participated in the event.
