Jaya Bachchan's dig at writer behind Pahalgam op name: Sindoor toh ujad gaya

Samajwadi Party MP and veteran actor Jaya Bachchan on Wednesday stirred controversy in the Rajya Sabha as she questioned the naming of India's retaliatory action post the Pahalgam terror attack as "Operation Sindoor", pointing out that many women were widowed in the incident and had actually "lost their sindoor".

Participating in a debate on the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent military operation in the upper house, Jaya Bachchan began her remarks by expressing condolences to the families of the 26 people killed in the Baisaran Valley in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22.

Addressing the treasury benches, she said, "I would congratulate you on the writers you have hired. You give grand names. Why did you name it 'Sindoor'? Sindoor toh ujad gaya (sindoor was destroyed), the wives of those who were killed."

She also took aim at the government's claims following the abrogation of Article 370, questioning the assurances of peace and safety. "The tourists who went there, why did they go there? After the abolition of Article 370, they were chest-thumping that terrorism would be finished... what happened? The tourists went there believing that," she said.

"You have destroyed the faith and trust of people you promised. Those families will never forgive you. You do not have the ability to apologise to those families."

The MP from Samajwadi Party criticised what she described as the government's lack of humility. "Humility in power is very important," she said, adding that bombs and weapons were no substitute for basic humanity.

"The Defence Minister said we are self-reliant, we are manufacturing this and that. What is the point when you were not even able to save 25–26 people? Bombs will not help, basic humanity is required."

Bachchan's speech was marked by visible agitation as she faced interruptions from members of the ruling party. At one point, visibly angered, she said, "Either you speak or I will speak. When you speak, I don't interrupt. When a woman speaks, I never interrupt. So please mind your tongue."

In an unexpected moment during her speech, Bachchan also rebuked Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who was seated next to her, for trying to calm her down. "Priyanka, don't control me," she said, as Chaturvedi responded with a laugh. A video of the exchange quickly went viral on social media.

Bachchan continued her speech with an emotional appeal. "Be humble, be kind, be protective towards people who have given you this position and authority with hope that you will protect them... Protect them, please say sorry."

She also quoted Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien, saying, "Derek said a good thing -- the weaker the argument, the more aggressive the body language."

- Ends