January 19, 2026 : The behaviour of Vice-Chancellor Alok Kumar Chakrawal at a seminar held at Guru Ghasidas Central University in Bilaspur has drawn strong criticism. The seminar was on the Hindi short story and was organised by the university in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi.
A video of the event, now widely shared, shows the vice-chancellor making light and casual remarks from the stage. During his speech, he appeared distracted and pointed out someone in the audience, saying that the person looked uncomfortable. From the audience came a response asking him to speak on the subject of the seminar.
Instead of responding calmly, the vice-chancellor reacted harshly. He said that if the person was uncomfortable, they should leave the hall, and added that they did not know how to speak to a vice-chancellor. After this, writer Manoj Rupda stood up and walked out.
The vice-chancellor then asked officials on stage who had invited the writer and remarked that anyone feeling uneasy should not stay in the hall. This was seen as highly disrespectful. Rupda was an invited guest, and it is the duty of the university and its head to protect the dignity of all guests.
Despite public criticism, Chakrawal has not accepted responsibility. If the remarks were made in the heat of the moment, a simple apology could have resolved the issue. Instead, he chose to justify his conduct.
The vice-chancellor also failed in basic preparation. Before attending such a seminar, he should have been briefed about the topic and the participants. His academic background is in commerce, not literature, which makes preparation even more necessary. In such events, a vice-chancellor’s role is mainly formal and symbolic.
Universities are meant for serious thought and respectful discussion. Casual or street-style comments from the chair weaken the dignity of both the event and the office. The fact that most of the audience remained silent after Rupda walked out points to a deeper issue.
In his defence, Chakrawal told National Newspaper that he noticed Rupda using his phone and politely asked if he was bored. He said being told to speak on the topic was an insult to the stage. He also complained about receiving abusive messages later and asked whether this reflected “our culture”.
While abusive language on social media is wrong, some criticism against the vice-chancellor has also used offensive words. Terms like “kulkalan̄k” may sound witty, but they carry caste-based and patriarchal meanings. Such language only adds to the problem instead of addressing it.
Another worrying aspect is the silence of other writers and intellectuals present at the seminar. Many people criticise such behaviour privately but avoid speaking out publicly. A major reason is the social habit of not questioning elders or people in authority, especially those holding powerful positions.
Questions have also been raised about the role of the Sahitya Akademi. Even if its role was limited, its silence has affected its credibility. Over time, the Akademi has been seen as less independent and more aligned with those in power. If the public humiliation of a writer does not concern us as a society, it shows a serious loss of sensitivity and collective responsibility.
