In a powerful and emotional speech during a Rajya Sabha debate on the recent Pahalgam terror attack, veteran actor and Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan criticised the government over the naming of its military response as ‘Operation Sindoor’, saying the term was insensitive to the widows who lost their husbands in the attack.
Bachchan began her remarks by offering condolences to the families of the 26 victims killed in Baisaran Valley, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. Referring to the naming of the operation, she said, “Why did you name it ‘Sindoor’? Sindoor toh ujad gaya. The wives of those who were killed…”
She took a direct dig at the writers behind the operation’s title, telling the ruling government, “I would congratulate you on the writers you have hired. You give grand names.”
Bachchan’s Emotional Appeal and Strong Rebuke Go Viral
Criticising the post-Article 370 security narrative, Bachchan said, “After the abolition of Article 370, they were chest-thumping that terrorism would be finished… what happened? The tourists went there believing that.”
She added that the government had “destroyed the faith and trust of the people you promised” and said those families “will never forgive you.”
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The Samajwadi Party MP also questioned the relevance of self-reliance in defence manufacturing in light of civilian deaths. “What is the point when you were not even able to save 25–26 people? Bombs will not help, basic humanity is required,” she remarked, calling for “humility in power.”
During the fiery exchange, Bachchan also confronted disruptions from the treasury benches, asserting, “When a woman speaks, I never interrupt. So please mind your tongue.”
Watch: Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan says, “…I must congratulate you (Ruling Party) , for appointing such writers who give such grand names. But why did you name it ‘Sindoor’? The sindoor has been wiped off the foreheads of women whose husbands were killed…”
(Video… pic.twitter.com/U9vFUJ6MA4
— IANS (@ians_india) July 30, 2025
In a surprising moment, she also rebuked Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, seated next to her, saying, “Priyanka, don’t control me,” as Chaturvedi laughed. The moment was captured on video and quickly went viral across social media platforms.
Ending her speech with an emotional plea, Bachchan urged the government: “Be humble, be kind, be protective towards people who have given you this position… Please say sorry.”
She also quoted TMC leader Derek O’Brien, saying, “The weaker the argument, the more aggressive the body language.”
