After telling lawmakers that they were working overtime to finish democracy, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Monday complained that the House was becoming a place of tamasha.
An exasperated Speaker made the observation as the issue of attacks on north Indians in Maharashtra saw a heated debate in the House and some members, keen to have their say, spoke out of turn.
"What job have you given me? I want to get rid of this job now," Chatterjee remarked amidst an uproar and regretted nobody was willing to listen to the Chair.
"It is a farce? Anyone, anytime can get up and dictate to the Chair," he said.
"Not a single member can cite any issue that I have not allowed, yet you do this," Chatterjee said.
Shiv Sena Member Anant Gite's remarks, that were strongly protested by several MPs, leading to an abrupt adjournment of the House, were also condemned by the Speaker.
As the House reassembled, he said, "I strongly denounce the statements intended to divide the country".
"I cannot be party to it. I express my strong disapproval," he said as he directed that the statements made be expunged.
Last week, a visibly angry Chatterjee had castigated the members by saying, "You are working overtime to finish democracy".
"It is matter of great sorrow that you are not willing to work," he had observed when Opposition members stormed the well demanding a loan waiver for farmers leading to adjournment of the House.
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