'Humiliating', 'Public servant can't do this': Ashoke Pandit slams Jaya Bachchan pushing a fan

Filmmaker and activist Ashoke Pandit has come down heavily on veteran actor and Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan after a video showing her pushing away a man seeking a selfie went viral. The incident took place on August 12 outside Delhi’s Constitution Club and has triggered a wave of public debate over how elected representatives should conduct themselves in public spaces.

In the video, a man can be seen moving closer to Bachchan, holding up his phone for a picture. Visibly displeased, she is heard asking, “Kya kar rahe hain aap? What is this?” The man quickly apologises, but the brief exchange has been viewed widely online and continues to spark heated discussion.

Ashoke Pandit Calls Reaction "Highly Condemnable"

Ashoke Pandit did not hold back in his criticism. Sharing his views through an Instagram story, he said, “This is highly condemnable. It is a humiliation towards the people who have elected her as their representative.”

Pandit stressed that those in public office have a duty to remain approachable and respectful towards citizens. “A public servant cannot afford to be sulking and irritated 24x7. People who come to you with respect and admiration should be met with humility and compassion,” he added.

He also pointed out that such incidents leave a lasting negative impression on the electorate. “When someone of her stature reacts like this, it sends the wrong message. It is important to remember that being in public life means being open to the public,” Pandit said.

Social Media Divided on Bachchan’s Behaviour

The video has led to sharply split opinions among netizens. Many agreed with Pandit’s assessment, saying the veteran actor’s behaviour was unbecoming of an elected MP. Others defended her, arguing that celebrities and politicians have the right to protect their personal space and decline photographs if they choose.

Bachchan has previously voiced her discomfort with unsolicited photography and has often asked paparazzi and fans to refrain from taking pictures without permission. Several of these exchanges have gone viral in the past, giving her a reputation for being blunt about personal boundaries.

Kangana Ranaut Adds Fuel to the Controversy

Actor and politician Kangana Ranaut also weighed in, taking a harsher tone. She called Bachchan “spoilt” and “privileged” and claimed that people tolerate her “tantrums” only because she is married to Amitabh Bachchan. Ranaut went further by mocking the Samajwadi Party cap worn by Bachchan in the viral video, likening it to a rooster’s comb and calling her a “fighting cock.”

Ranaut’s comments quickly picked up traction, with supporters and critics engaging in an equally heated debate in the comments sections of various posts.

The Larger Question Around Public Figures and Conduct

Pandit’s remarks have reignited a larger conversation about how public figures, particularly those holding elected office, should engage with people in informal settings. While the right to refuse a selfie or photograph is generally accepted, critics argue that refusals should be delivered in a calm and polite manner rather than through physical gestures or visible irritation.

Supporters of Bachchan maintain that fans sometimes cross personal boundaries without realising it and that no public figure should be expected to welcome every interaction. However, Pandit’s comments highlight a belief that elected representatives carry a higher obligation to maintain composure and approachability in all public engagements.

Jaya Bachchan’s Professional Commitments

On the work front, Bachchan was last seen in Karan Johar’s 2023 blockbuster Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Her next project, Dil Ka Darwaaza Khol Na Darling, will see her sharing screen space with Siddhant Chaturvedi and Wamiqa Gabbi. No confirmed release date has been announced yet.

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