The Rajya Sabha witnessed a light-hearted exchange on Monday involving Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan and Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The conversation began with Bachchan questioning the meaning of the middle name in her official title and playfully suggesting that Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who is unmarried, should add “the name of his wife” to his name.
This humorous interaction traces back to July 29, when Jaya Bachchan raised objections after Deputy Chairman Harivansh addressed her by her official name. She remarked, “This is something new that women will be recognized by the name of their husbands.”
On Monday, during the question hour, Chairman Dhankhar addressed Bachchan using her official name and she asked, “Sir, do you know the meaning of Amitabh?” Dhankhar responded by explaining the procedure for members to change their official names and offered to assist if she chose to do so.
Bachchan expressed her pride in her husband, Amitabh Bachchan, and his achievements. “No sir, I am very proud of my name and my husband and his achievements. It signifies a light that cannot be extinguished,” she said.
Dhankhar shared a memory of his visit to a hotel in France where he saw Amitabh Bachchan’s photograph among global icons, affirming the nation’s pride in the actor. As Bachchan prepared to ask her supplementary question to Khattar, she humorously suggested that Khattar should add his wife’s name to his.
Acknowledging his unmarried status, Khattar replied, “I cannot fulfil this in this life. For this, there will be a need to wait for the next life.” This remark prompted laughter in the House.
Chairman Dhankhar quipped about Khattar’s statement falling under the parliamentary tradition and Assurance Committee, noting it as an assurance for the next life. Amid the smiles, Khattar proceeded to answer Bachchan’s supplementary question.
