The monsoon session of the Indian Parliament was rocked by yet another verbal spat, this time between Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan. This was not the first time the two had engaged in an argument over the Chairman's use of Jaya Bachchan's full name, "Jaya Amitabh Bachchan". In an angry response to Bachchan's objections, Dhankhar accused her of trying to bring down the reputation of the Chair. The Opposition staged a walkout in support of Bachchan, leading to a lively and tense day in the Rajya Sabha.
Jaya Bachchan and Rajya Sabha Chairman Clash: A History of Controversy
The monsoon session of the Indian Parliament witnessed yet another fiery exchange between Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan. The spat stemmed from an ongoing disagreement over the Chairman's use of Bachchan's full name, "Jaya Amitabh Bachchan."
Background
Jaya Bachchan, a veteran actress and wife of Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, has been an active member of the Rajya Sabha for several terms. She is known for her outspoken views and is often a vocal critic of the government.
Jagdeep Dhankhar, a former West Bengal governor, was appointed Rajya Sabha Chairman in April 2022. He has been criticized by opposition parties for his strict adherence to parliamentary rules and his tendency to interrupt or dismiss members who deviate from protocol.
The Latest Spat
The incident occurred during a discussion on a bill related to the regulation of medical profession. Bachchan objected to Dhankhar's use of her full name, saying it was disrespectful and unnecessary. Dhankhar responded by accusing her of trying to undermine the authority of the Chair and of using unparliamentary language.
Bachchan's remarks provoked an angry response from Dhankhar, who accused her of "denigrating the Chair" and said he would not allow her to "lower the dignity of the House." The Opposition staged a walkout in protest, leading to a tense and lively atmosphere in the Rajya Sabha.
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