"RS Chairman Claps Back at Jaya Bachchan's Demand for Apology, Saying 'You May Be a Celebrity, But...'"
Jaya Bachchan remained steadfast and demanded an apology as protests grew against Dhankhar, while Opposition MPs, led by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, walked out.
Arpit Pattnaik
Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar lost his temper and scolded Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Jaya Amitabh Bachchan after she questioned his tone in the House during the ongoing monsoon session. This led to protests by the Opposition members, who eventually staged a walkout.
The exchange began after the Chair called upon the five-time MP to speak. "Honourable members, Jaya Amitabh Bachchan is the last member to speak on this point. Please begin, ma'am," said Dhankhar.
In response, Bachchan expressed unhappiness over Dhankhar’s tone and said, "Pardon me for saying this, but your tone…” She then continued, “We are colleagues, sir. You may be sitting on the chair, but that does not mean you will school us."
In a furious response, Dhankhar told Bachchan, "Jaya ji, please take your seat. Jaya ji, you have earned a great reputation. You know, an actor is subject to the director. Every day I don’t want to repeat. I don’t want to do schooling. You are talking about my tone?"
Bachchan stood firm and sought an apology, saying, “I need an apology from the Chair,” as protests against Dhankhar mounted and Opposition MPs, led by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, walked out.
Later, speaking to the media, Bachchan said, “I objected to the tone used by the Chair. We are not schoolchildren. Some of us are senior citizens. I was upset with the tone and especially when the Leader of the Opposition stood up to speak, he switched off the mike. How can you do this?”
