Jaya Bachchan Irked at Being Addressed as ‘Jaya Amitabh Bachchan’ in Parliament

Veteran actress and Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan expressed her displeasure in the Rajya Sabha when she was addressed as “Jaya Amitabh Bachchan” by Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh. The incident occurred during the ongoing Budget session, drawing significant attention and sparking a debate on women’s identity.

Jaya Bachchan, formerly known as Jaya Bhaduri, responded to the Deputy Chairman’s address by stating, “Sir, sirf Jaya Bachchan bolte to kaafi hojata (Calling me Jaya Bachchan would be enough, sir).” She further criticized the practice of women being identified by their husband’s name, emphasizing that women have their own identities and achievements.

The Deputy Chairman clarified that her name was listed as “Jaya Amitabh Bachchan” in the official records, which led to the use of her husband’s name. However, Jaya Bachchan’s response highlighted her frustration with this practice, stating, “Ye jo hain kuch naya tarika hain ki mahilaayen apni pati ke naam se jaani jaye. Unka koi astitva nahi. Unki koi upalabdhi nahi hain, apne mein aur astitva nahi hain. Ye jo naya shuru hua hain… (Some new method has emerged that women have to be known by their husband’s name. As if women have no identity; they have no achievements, no identity of their own. This is a new thing…)”

The video of the incident quickly went viral on social media, eliciting mixed reactions. While some supported her stance, others pointed out that her name appears as “Jaya Amitabh Bachchan” in official records.

Jaya Bachchan has always been vocal about women’s rights and identity, and this incident has once again brought these issues to the forefront of public discourse.