Veteran actress and Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan has voiced her dissatisfaction over an exchange of words with Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, which took place during a recent parliamentary session. The incident has sparked controversy, with Bachchan expressing her frustration at the manner in which the Chairman addressed her and other members of the Opposition.

Speaking to the media after the session, Bachchan stated, “I objected to the tone used by the Chair. We are not school children. Some of us are senior citizens. I was upset with the tone and especially when the Leader of Opposition stood up to speak, he switched off the mike. How can you do this? You have to allow the Leader of Opposition to speak.” Her comments reflect a broader concern about the respect and decorum that should be maintained within the parliamentary proceedings.

Jaya Bachchan, who is serving her fifth term as a Member of Parliament, emphasized that the use of unparliamentary language and the dismissal of voices from the Opposition are deeply troubling. She mentioned that certain words used in the session were offensive and should not be part of parliamentary discourse. “I mean using unparliamentary words every time which I do not want to say in front of you all. You are a nuisance, ‘Buddhiheen’ (mindless). He said you may be a celebrity, I do not care. I am not asking him to care. I am saying I am a member of Parliament. This is my fifth term. I know what I am saying,” she added.

The veteran actress-turned-politician also called for an apology, noting that the way discussions are being conducted in Parliament nowadays is unprecedented. “The way things are being spoken in Parliament these days, nobody has ever spoken before. I want an apology,” she asserted, highlighting the importance of maintaining dignity and respect in parliamentary debates.

Jaya Bachchan’s remarks come at a time when tensions between the ruling party and the Opposition have been escalating, with frequent clashes in both houses of Parliament. The incident with the Rajya Sabha Chairman has further fueled the ongoing debate about the conduct and treatment of parliamentarians, particularly those from the Opposition.

The Samajwadi Party MP’s demand for an apology has drawn attention to the broader issue of parliamentary etiquette and the need for mutual respect among members, regardless of their political affiliations. The incident has also raised questions about the role of the Chair in ensuring that all members, especially senior and experienced ones, are treated with the respect they deserve.

As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the Chairman or the ruling party will respond to Bachchan’s demands. The incident has undoubtedly added to the already charged atmosphere in Parliament, where the battle between the ruling party and the Opposition shows no signs of abating.