Jaya Bachchan Name Row: Addressing Women`s Issue or A Storm in a Teacup?

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JULY 31,2024

Veteran actress and Samajwadi Party MP, Jaya Bachchan, found herself at the centre of a controversy after a heated exchange in the Rajya Sabha. The incident, which was quickly captured on camera and widely shared on social media, has sparked a debate about the treatment of women in public life.

Jaya Bachchan's video over name row in Rajya Sabha goes viral

The controversy erupted when Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh addressed Bachchan as 'Shrimati Jaya Amitabh Bachchan.' This seemingly innocuous slip of the tongue ignited a fiery response from the actress-turned-politician. 'Sir, sirf Jaya Bachchan bolte to kaafi hojata (it would've been enough to call me Jaya Bachchan),' she retorted, visibly upset.

Bachchan went on to criticise the trend of addressing married women by their husband's name, asserting that it diminishes their identity. 'Ye jo hain kuch naya tarika hain ki mahilaayen apne pati ke naam se jaani jaye. Unka koi astitva nahi. Unki koi upalabdh hi nahi hain, apne mein aur astitva nahi hain. Ye jo naya shuru hua hain, I just..." (This new method has emerged in which women are identified by their husband's name. As if they don't have their own identity. They have no achievements and no self-identity. This new trend, I just...) she expressed her frustration.

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Hawk-eyed netizens dig out Jaya Bachchan's Rajya Sabha nomination form

However, the controversy took an unexpected turn when netizens unearthed Jaya Bachchan's Rajya Sabha nomination form. To everyone's surprise, the form clearly states her name as 'Jaya Amitabh Bachchan,' complete with a government stamp dated back to 2018. This discovery led to a wave of criticism, with many questioning the consistency of Bachchan's stance.

Social media was abuzz with comments, with users pointing out the irony of the situation. 'In her own nomination s and hence Rajya Sabha official records, her name is Smt. Jaya Amitabh Bachchan .. but no .. she wants to be referred as Smt. Jaya Bachchan only .. which is fine but then why call it 'Naya Tareeka' when you yourself used that 'Tareeka' officially,' one user remarked.

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The incident has undoubtedly brought the spotlight to the issue of women's identity and the importance of respectful addressing in public life. While Bachchan's sentiments about the autonomy of women are valid, the contradiction between her words and actions has left many questioning her sincerity. As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen how this controversy will shape the discourse on gender equality and respect in India.

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