New Delhi: In a rare moment of humour in the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and actor-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan engaged in a playful banter that left the entire House in stitches. The exchange began when Bachchan asked Chairman Dhankhar if he had taken a lunch break, to which he responded with a witty remark about being serious on lighter notes.
The lighthearted moment was a departure from the tension that had arisen three days earlier when Jaya Bachchan took objection to being addressed as “Jaya Amitabh Bachchan” by Deputy Chairman Harivansh. She said that women have their own identity and should not be identified solely by their husband’s name.
“I, Jaya Amitabh Bachchan, want to ask…” Jaya Bachchan said, before Chairman Dhankhar burst into laughter, setting off a chain reaction of chuckles throughout the House.
Jaya Bachchan then teased Chairman Dhankhar about mentioning Jairam’s name repeatedly, joking that he could not digest his food without it. Chairman Dhankhar retorted that he had indeed skipped lunch but later had it with Jairam, sending the House into a fit of laughter.
“Sir, did you get a lunch break today? You didn’t, right? That’s why you keep mentioning Jairam’s name again and again. Because you can’t digest your food without remembering him or mentioning his name…” Chairman Dhankhar said, “I want to say one thing on a lighter note… I didn’t have lunch during the recess… but after that, I had lunch with Jairam.”
Chairman Dhankhar expressed his admiration for Jaya Bachchan and her husband Amitabh. He said, “Today, I want to say something to the House… this is the first time… I’m a fan of yours as well as Amitabh Bachchan’s.”
Jaya Bachchan folded her hands in a gesture of respect, then stood up and asked, “Why is this the first time?”
Chairman Dhankhar replied, “Because until today, I never met a couple.”
Jaya Bachchan responded with a smile, “Yes, that’s why my name is like that… thank you.”