India, Jan. 10 -- What began as a comical interjection by a vice-chancellor at a Chhattisgarh university during a seminar, has spiralled into a full-blown controversy, with calls to sack him even from political leaders.

It all began during a one-day national seminar on 'Samkalin Hindi Kahani: Badalte Jeevan Sandarbh' (Contemporary Hindi Story: Changing Life Contexts) at the Guru Ghasidas Central University in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district on Wednesday.

While V-C Alok Kumar Chakrawal was delivering his address, he paused and asked writer Manoj Rupda, seated in the front row, "Bhai saheb, aap bore to nahin ho rahe? (Brother, are you getting bored?"

In response, Rupda reportedly said Chakrawal should speak on the topic. This appeared t...