Jaya Bachchan & Jagdeep Dhankar Again: Led By Sonia Gandhi, Opposition Walks Out Of Rajya Sabha

By OB Bureau On Aug 9, 2024

New Delhi: Jaya Bachchan and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar once again had a spat after the actor-turned-politician accused the Vice President of speaking to her in an “unacceptable” tone and showing disrespect. The confrontation led to protests from opposition members, who, led by Congress stalwart Sonia Gandhi, ultimately walked out of the Rajya Sabha.

Addressing the Upper House on Friday, Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan, expressed her disapproval of Jagdeep Dhankhar’s tone, stating that as an actor, she understands body language and expressions, and found his manner of speaking to be unacceptable.

Notably, this was the second time this week, that Jagdeep Dhankar introduced her as Jaya Amitabh Bachchan, despite the MP’s strong disapproval.

“I am an artiste. I understand body language and expressions. But your tone is not right. We are your colleagues but your tone is unacceptable,” Jaya Bachchan said.

Dhankar then fired back at Jaya Bachchan. “Jaya ji, you have earned a great reputation. You know an actor is subject to the director. But everyday I do not want to repeat myself. Everyday I dont want to do schooling. You are talking about my tone? Enough of it. You may be anybody. You have to understand the decorum. You can be a celebrity but accept decorum.”

After walking out of the Rajya Sabha, Jaya Bachchan further hit out the Rajya Sabha Chairman

“…I objected to the tone used by the Chair. We are not school children. Some of us are senior citizens. I was upset with the tone and especially when the Leader of Opposition stood up to speak, he switched off the mike. How can you do this? You have to allow the Leader of Opposition to speak…I mean using unparliamentary words every time which I do not want to say in front of you all. You are a nuisance, ‘Buddhiheen’,” the veteran leader told reporters.

Jaya Bachchan was accompanied by Sonia Gandhi and other senior Opposition leaders.

“He said you may be a celebrity, I do not care. I am not asking him to care. I am saying I am a member of Parliament. This is my fifth term. I know what I am saying. The way things are being spoken in Parliament these days, nobody has ever spoken before. I want an apology,” Jaya Bachchan added.