A video of Jaya Bachchan refusing to cover her nose and mouth with a mask has gone viral. The video is of her speaking during the Rajya Sabha session. Just before she is about to begin her speech, Jaya Bachchan pulls her mask down. She is then interrupted by Venkaiah Naidu, who is in the chair, and reminded to put it back on.
Jaya Bachchan says, "Sir, aawaz nahi ayegi, clear nahi aayegi. Mai saaf kar dungi (Sir, my voice will not be clear. I will clean it.)"
You can watch the same at 10:55 -
Bachchan further goes on to ask for the government's support to protect the reputation of the industry and take action against those speaking ill of the industry despite having made a career out of it.
She says, "Entertainment industry in our country which provides direct employment everyday to 5 lakh people and indirect employment to 5 million people. At a time when the financial situation is in a depressing state and employment is at the worst level. In order to divert the attention of the people, we are being used to be flocked by the social media and the government's non-support. Such people who have made their name in the film industry have called it a gutter. I really disagree."
She concludes by saying that the government must support the entertainment industry, especially individuals being harassed because the entertainment industry always supports the government.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)