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Jaya Bachchan vs. Jagdeep Dhankhar : Opposition, Led by Sonia Gandhi, Stages Walkout in Rajya Sabha !
The Rajya Sabha has been the stage for escalating tensions between actor-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, culminating in a dramatic walkout by the Opposition, led by Congress stalwart Sonia Gandhi. The ongoing feud between Bachchan and Dhankhar reached new heights on August 9, 2024, when their heated exchange once again highlighted the growing discord within India’s parliamentary proceedings.
The Genesis of the Conflict:
The recent altercation between Jaya Bachchan, a Samajwadi Party MP, and Jagdeep Dhankhar, who serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, revolves around the manner in which Dhankhar addressed Bachchan. The Vice President repeatedly referred to her as “Jaya Amitabh Bachchan,” a name that links her identity to her husband, the famous actor Amitabh Bachchan.
Jaya Bachchan has consistently objected to this, insisting that she should be recognized by her own name, without the addition of her husband’s name. This was not the first time the issue was raised. On July 29, 2024, Bachchan first objected to being addressed as “Jaya Amitabh Bachchan,” emphasizing that women have their own identities separate from their spouses. She reiterated this stance on August 5, 2024, further intensifying the situation.
The Latest Confrontation:
The latest confrontation took place during a session of the Rajya Sabha when Dhankhar once again referred to her using her husband’s name. Bachchan, visibly frustrated, accused Dhankhar of speaking to her in an “unacceptable” tone. As an experienced actor, she claimed to understand body language and expressions, and she found Dhankhar’s demeanor disrespectful.
Dhankhar responded sharply, reminding Bachchan of the importance of decorum within the parliamentary setting. He remarked, “Jaya ji, you have earned a great reputation. You know an actor is subject to the director. But every day, I do not want to repeat myself. You may be anybody. You have to understand the decorum. You can be a celebrity but accept decorum”.
The situation escalated as Bachchan demanded an apology from Dhankhar, accusing him of treating MPs as if they were schoolchildren. She further criticized the manner in which Dhankhar had switched off the microphone when the Leader of the Opposition attempted to speak. Her strong objections were met with equally strong resistance from Dhankhar, who refused to back down.
Opposition’s Walkout:
The confrontation did not end there. The Opposition, led by Sonia Gandhi, rallied in support of Jaya Bachchan. In a dramatic show of solidarity, Gandhi, along with other senior Opposition leaders, walked out of the Rajya Sabha. The walkout was a clear statement against what they perceived as the Vice President’s disrespectful behavior towards Bachchan and, by extension, towards the Opposition.
Following the walkout, the Opposition leaders gathered outside the Parliament to express their discontent. Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Shiv Sena (UBT) highlighted Bachchan’s extensive parliamentary experience, arguing that it surpassed even that of the Vice President. Other leaders, including Derek O’Brien of the Trinamool Congress, voiced their support for Bachchan, asserting that she should be treated with the dignity she deserves.
Reactions and Implications:
The walkout by the Opposition has sparked a flurry of reactions across the political spectrum. BJP leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP JP Nadda, condemned the walkout as “indecent and irresponsible.” Nadda accused the Opposition of trying to weaken the nation by undermining the dignity of the parliamentary process. Other BJP leaders echoed this sentiment, accusing the Opposition of lowering political standards and attempting to create chaos within the nation.
Dhankhar, for his part, expressed frustration with the ongoing disputes and the repeated objections to his manner of addressing Bachchan. He emphasized the need for maintaining parliamentary decorum and warned against allowing celebrity status to interfere with the duties and responsibilities of MPs.
The Broader Context:
This incident is part of a broader pattern of increasing tension within India’s Parliament, where personal attacks and procedural disruptions have become more frequent. The clash between Jaya Bachchan and Jagdeep Dhankhar is emblematic of the deeper divisions within Indian politics, where issues of respect, identity, and the role of women in public life are becoming increasingly contentious.
Bachchan’s objections to being identified through her husband’s name reflect a broader struggle for recognition and respect for women’s identities, independent of their relationships with men. This resonates with a larger societal debate in India about gender equality and the rights of women to be recognized for their own achievements.
Conclusion:
The ongoing conflict between Jaya Bachchan and Jagdeep Dhankhar in the Rajya Sabha underscores the fragile state of parliamentary decorum in India today. As both sides continue to dig in their heels, the ability of the Rajya Sabha to function effectively is increasingly called into question. The walkout led by Sonia Gandhi highlights the deepening rift between the government and the Opposition, with the potential for long-term implications on the functioning of India’s democracy.
As the nation watches, it remains to be seen how this conflict will evolve and whether any resolution can be reached that respects both parliamentary decorum and the individual identities of its members.
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