NEW DELHI, Aug 5: The “name drama” related to the Samajwadi Party Member of the Rajya Sabha Jaya Bachchan, herself a celebrated actress and wife of the Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, returned in the Upper House on Monday.
Just days after she had objected to being called out by her husband’s name in the Rajya Sabha, on Monday she cheekily introduced herself as ‘Jaya Amitabh Bachchan’ on the House floor.
The playful jab had Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar bursting into laughter. But when the Chairman called out her full name again on Monday, Jaya Bachchan wasn’t having it and raised another objection, prompting an explanation from him calling it a “naya drama” in the Parliament.
The Vice President then explained that there was a way 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).”
But Ms Bachchan rejected the offer. 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).”
Last week, in a heated moment in the Rajya Sabha, Jaya Bachchan objected to Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh addressing her as “Shrimati Jaya Amitabh Bachchan.” She reminded the assembly that her identity stands independent of her husband’s name. As Harivansh called her to speak, Jaya said, “Sir, sirf Jaya Bachchan bolte to kaafi hojata” (It would’ve been enough to call me Jaya Bachchan). When it was pointed out that her name is officially registered as such, she had launched into a critique of the practice.
(Manas Dasgupta)
