On Friday, actor-politician Jaya Bachchan and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Jagdeep Dhankhar crossed swords yet again. This time, the fight started over an invitation by Dhankhar to Bachchan to speak during a debate in the Rajya Sabha while addressing her as ‘Jaya Amitabh Bachchan.’ Enraged by the tone used by Dhankhar while addressing her, Bachchan termed it an “unacceptable tone,” triggering protests from Opposition MPs who later walked out of the Upper House.
Bachchan’s Demand for an Apology
At this time in the debate, Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan did not take Dhankhar’s tone kindly and demanded an apology. “I am an artist and can interpret body language and expressions. Your tone, however, is not proper. We are your colleagues, and your manner of speaking is unacceptable,” Bachchan said.
When such a charge was labeled against him, Dhankhar wanted Bachchan to realize the decorum that needs to be followed, irrespective of her celebrity status. He was getting angry as Opposition members took Bachchan’s side and protested against him. Dhankhar, equally sharp, shot back, “Jaya ji, you have risen to great esteem, but an actor follows the director’s lead. I don’t want to repeat myself or give daily lessons. Finding fault with my tone? Enough. You must adhere to decorum, no matter your status. Being a celebrity does not exempt you from that.”
Who does #JayaBachchan think she is? She keeps throwing the same tantrums every day. Today, Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji finally put her in her place.
Hopefully, she’ll take a lesson from this.What an arrogant lady! It’s no surprise that she might have caused a rift between Aishwarya… pic.twitter.com/qv53Aav3lw
— Akassh Ashok Gupta (@peepoye_) August 9, 2024
Censure Motion Against Union Minister
Dhankhar tried to bring order and asked the Opposition MPs to stop the demonstration and resume their seats, which was not heeded. “I have to act and handle it,” said Dhankhar. He turned on Bachchan and said, “Don’t think that only you can build reputations.” At a personal level, the Opposition is accused of “trying to destabilize the nation”. “There is a lack of decorum. You are running away from your responsibilities,” before the Opposition MPs, including Jaya, walked out of the Rajya Sabha.
Also Read: Nirmala Sitharaman Unveils New Banking Bill: Key Changes Explained
An angry Union Minister JP Nadda, who is also the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha, moved a censure motion against Jaya over her remarks that were personally aimed at Dhankhar.
Past Altercations Between Bachchan, Dhankhar
This is for the third time in the last ten days over the issue of naming ‘Jaya Amitabh Bachchan’. On July 29, Bachchan had expressed her objection to having her husband Amitabh Bachchan’s name as her middle name on the argument that every woman needs an identity of her own. When Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh referred to her as “Shrimati Jaya Amitabh Bachchan ji,” She said, “Sir, just Jaya Bachchan would have been enough.” Harivansh explained to her that her name is officially registered that way.
