Veteran actor and politician Jaya Bachchan recently made headlines with her assertive stance in the Rajya Sabha. On Monday, the Samajwadi Party MP took issue with being addressed as “Shrimati Jaya Amitabh Bachchan” by Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, insisting that she should be referred to simply as “Jaya Bachchan.”
In a widely circulated video from the parliamentary session, Jaya Bachchan is seen expressing her displeasure at the use of her husband Amitabh Bachchan’s name. “Sir, sirf Jaya Bachchan bolte toh kaafi hota (Only Jaya Bachchan would have sufficed),” she remarked, clearly irked by the Deputy Chairman’s address.
Jaya Bachchan’s response was not just a personal objection but a broader critique of a societal norm. She elaborated, “Ye jo hain kuch naya tarika hain ki mahilaayin 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… (This is something new, that women will be recognized by the name of their husbands…they (women) have no identity; they have no achievements, no identity of their own. This new thing that has started…).”
The Bachchan family is one of Bollywood’s most illustrious dynasties. Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan married on June 3, 1973, and have two children: author Shweta Bachchan Nanda and actor Abhishek Bachchan. Over the years, Jaya and Amitabh have shared the screen in several iconic films, including ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Sholay’, ‘Abhimaan’, ‘Mili’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Silsila’, and ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’.
Beyond her film career, Jaya Bachchan has made significant contributions to Indian politics. She entered the political arena in 2004 as a Rajya Sabha MP representing the Samajwadi Party. Over the years, she has been a vocal advocate for various social causes, particularly women’s rights, and has used her platform to address issues of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Her recent objection in parliament highlights ongoing discussions about the importance of recognizing women’s individual identities and achievements, rather than defining them in relation to their husbands. This stance is particularly relevant in a society where women often face the challenge of establishing their own identities independent of familial ties.
Jaya Bachchan’s assertiveness in the Rajya Sabha serves as a reminder of the need for respect and recognition of women’s identities and contributions in all spheres of life. Her words resonate with many who believe in the importance of acknowledging and celebrating women’s achievements on their own merits.
