The Budget Session of Parliament has been marked by significant controversy, particularly
involving a heated exchange between actor-politician Jaya Bachchan and Rajya Sabha
Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar. This clash has captured considerable attention and led to a
dramatic walkout by Opposition MPs
The dispute began when Bachchan, a Member of Parliament from the Samajwadi Party,
voiced her dissatisfaction with Dhankhar’s “tone” during a session in the Upper House. Her
critique was triggered by Dhankhar’s remarks about an earlier incident on July 31 involving
BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari and the Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge.
During this exchange, Kharge had requested that Tiwari’s comments be expunged from the
parliamentary record, a request that was a focal point of the subsequent dispute.
Dhankhar defended Tiwari’s remarks, asserting that they were intended as a “praise” for
Kharge in Sanskrit and were not meant to be disrespectful.
According to Dhankhar, Tiwari had expressed his admiration for Kharge and was even prepared to issue an apology within the House. Despite this clarification, Opposition MPs reacted strongly, accusing Dhankhar of showing favoritism toward Tiwari. This led to an eruption of dissent, with Congress MPs demanding an apology from Tiwari and criticizing Dhankhar for allegedly siding with the BJP member.
The situation escalated further when Bachchan spoke to the media outside the Parliament
building, expressing her frustration with the Chair’s conduct. She stated, “I objected to the
tone used by the Chair. We are not schoolchildren. I was upset with the tone, and especially
when the Leader of the Opposition stood up to speak, his mic was switched off. How can you do this? Bachchan’s comments highlighted her concerns about the procedural fairness
and respect within the parliament proceedings.
In response to the growing tensions, the Treasury Benches, which support the ruling party,
came out in defense of Dhankhar. They demanded that the Opposition apologize for them
“Unparliamentary behavior.” Leader of the House J.P. Nadda, speaking on behalf of the
government, condemned the behavior of the Opposition MPs, further intensifying the conflict.
Bachchan had questioned the appropriateness of using her husband’s full name in the
parliamentary setting, expressing her pride in her marriage and her husband’s
achievements, but also indicating that such practices were new and unwelcome. Dhankhar
responded by explaining that the Chair uses only the names listed on election certificates
and suggested that Bachchan could have her name changed if she wished.
This exchange underscores the deepening divisions and contentious atmosphere in
Parliament, where procedural issues and personal disputes have led to significant drama
and public attention. The clash between Bachchan and Dhankhar not only reflects the
challenges of parliamentary decorum but also highlights the broader tensions within Indian
politics.
As the session continues, it remains to be seen how these disputes will influence
parliamentary proceedings and whether further conflicts will arise. The confrontation
between Jaya Bachchan and Jagdeep Dhankhar has certainly set a precedent for the
intensity of debates and interactions in the Indian Parliament.
