Just days after Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan objected to being referred to by her husband’s name in the Rajya Sabha, she humorously introduced herself as ‘Jaya Amitabh Bachchan’ on the House floor. The playful remark made Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar burst into laughter.
However, when the Chairman called out her full name again on August 5, Jaya Bachchan objected once more, leading to an explanation from him. In a video shared by ANI, Jaya Bachchan can be seen calling it a ‘new drama’ in Parliament.
The Vice President then explained that there is a procedure to change the name on the election certificate. ‘The name that appears on the election certificate and the one submitted here can be changed through a process, and I myself took advantage of this process in 1989,’ he said in Hindi.
In response, Jaya Bachchan said, ‘No, sir. I’m very proud. I’m very proud of my name and my husband and his achievements. It signifies abha Jo mit nahi sakti. So, don’t worry. Ye drama aap logo ne naya shuru kiya hai – yeh pehle nahi tha (This is a new drama).’
Earlier, in a heated exchange in the Rajya Sabha, Jaya Bachchan objected to Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh referring to her as ‘Shrimati Jaya Amitabh Bachchan.’
She asserted that her identity is independent of her husband’s name. When Harivansh called on her to speak, Jaya responded, ‘Sir, sirf Jaya Bachchan bolte to kaafi hojata" (It would have been enough to call me Jaya Bachchan).’ Upon being informed that her name is officially registered that way, she criticized the practice.
Jaya Bachchan, an influential figure in both cinema and politics, married megastar Amitabh Bachchan on June 3, 1973. The couple has two children, Shweta and Abhishek Bachchan.
They have starred together in several films, including Zanjeer, Sholay, Abhimaan, Mili, Chupke Chupke, Silsila, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
Since entering politics in 2004, Jaya Bachchan has been a vocal advocate for women's rights and various social issues.
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