WATCH | Jagdeep Dhankhar-Jaya Bachchan Engage In Bitter Rajya Sabha Showdown Yet Again

Actor-politician Jaya Bachchan and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar had a heated exchange during a session in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

The confrontation arose when Dhankhar referred to Bachchan as "Jaya Amitabh Bachchan" while inviting her to speak during a debate.

Visibly irritated by this, Bachchan accused Dhankhar of speaking to her in an "unacceptable tone," which led to protests from Opposition MPs, who subsequently walked out of the Upper House.

Bachchan, a Samajwadi Party MP, voiced her objection in the Rajya Sabha, stating, "I am an artist. I understand body language and expressions. But your tone is not right. We are your colleagues, but your tone is unacceptable."

In response, Dhankhar emphasised the importance of maintaining decorum, saying, "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. Every day, I don't 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."

Dhankhar further criticised the Opposition MPs for their protests, saying, "Never carry an impression that only you build reputations," and accused them of attempting to destabilise the nation.

The exchange ended with the Opposition MPs, including Bachchan, walking out of the Rajya Sabha.

Union Minister JP Nadda, the Leader of the House of Rajya Sabha, subsequently moved a censure motion against Bachchan over her remarks.

This incident marks the third such confrontation between Dhankhar and Bachchan within the past ten days, all triggered by the use of her husband Amitabh Bachchan's name as part of her own.

Previously, Bachchan had objected to being referred to as "Jaya Amitabh Bachchan," insisting that "Sir, sirf Jaya Bachchan bolte to kaafi hojata (It would've been enough to call me Jaya Bachchan)."

Dhankhar had responded by informing her about the official process to change her name in government records.