Jaya Bachchan Questions Speaker’s Tone in Parliament; Dhankhar Responds on Decorum

A Heated Exchange in the Upper House

Jaya Bachchan expressed her objection to the tone of Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar while addressing her. She stated, “Your tone is inappropriate. I am an artist, I understand body language and expressions. I am sorry, but the way you are speaking is not acceptable.”

In response, Chairman Dhankhar said, “Please take your seat. You have made a great name for yourself, and you know that an actor is controlled by the director. You haven’t seen what I see here every day. Regardless of your celebrity status, you must maintain decorum.”

This exchange led to an uproar in the Rajya Sabha, with the opposition walking out in protest and chanting slogans like “Bullying will not be tolerated.” Dhankhar further remarked, “You have questioned my tone, and that will not be tolerated. You may be a celebrity, but you are undermining a senior member.”

Banking Reforms Bill Introduced in Lok Sabha

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, introduced the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha. This bill was announced by the Finance Minister during the 2024-25 budget speech.

Additionally, amendments related to the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act of 1970 and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act of 1980 will also be presented in the House.

Key changes proposed in the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 include:

• Increasing the number of nominees in a bank account from 1 to 4.
• Changing the reporting dates for banks from the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month to the 15th and 30th of each month.
• Extending the tenure of cooperative bank directors from 8 years to 10 years.
• Raising the significant interest limit from ₹5 lakh to ₹2 crore or 10% of equity shares.
  

ST-SC MPs Demand Non-Implementation of Creamy Layer Decision

Meeting with Prime Minister Modi on Supreme Court’s Comment

BJP MPs from the ST and SC communities met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Parliament building, submitting a memorandum regarding the Supreme Court’s comment on the creamy layer for STs and SCs. They requested that this decision not be implemented within their communities.

Railway Act Amendment Bill Introduced

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced the Permission Bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the Railway Act of 1989. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal presented the Maritime Transport of Goods Bill and the Landing Bill 2024 in the House.

Meanwhile, the Indian Aircraft Bill 2024 and the Reorganization of Scheduled Tribes Representation in Goa Legislative Assembly Bill may be discussed in the Rajya Sabha.

Congress Accuses Education Minister of Breach of Privilege

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has submitted a notice of breach of privilege against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accusing him of misleading the Rajya Sabha regarding the removal of the preamble from NCERT textbooks.

Wakf Amendment Bill Introduced in Lok Sabha

On Thursday, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, introduced the Wakf Act (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, which the central government has sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The opposition parties opposed the bill. Congress MP K.C. Venugopal stated that the government wants to create disputes between communities.

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi remarked that by introducing this bill, the central government is not uniting the country but dividing it, and the bill is proof that they are against Muslims.

Rijiju responded that many opposition MPs support this bill. He mentioned that individuals privately express support but cannot speak openly due to party constraints. At this point, Amit Shah intervened, advising not to name those MPs, which led to laughter in the House.