On Wednesday, a far-right anti-immigrant activist allegedly interrupted Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrived at his hotel in Melbourne. This incident occurred shortly after Modi touched down in Australia for a two-day visit. Reports indicate that the individual entered the venue and began shouting abusive slogans at the Prime Minister.

The protester, identified as Hugo Lennon, reportedly shouted derogatory remarks from the first-floor balcony just as Modi arrived on a red carpet. Eyewitness accounts verify that Lennon declared, “F*** Modi!” and voiced strong sentiments against immigration, asserting, “This is Australia. No more Indians.” Lennon’s actions elicited a swift response from police, who quickly removed him from the location.

Authorities have not disclosed how Lennon obtained information regarding Modi’s whereabouts. Local media outlets suggest that certain far-right influencers may have shared updates on Modi’s movements online. A spokesperson for Victoria Police confirmed that a 22-year-old man was removed from the hotel after he shouted political statements around 12:30 am, indicating that the incident was managed without further complications.

Protester Attempts to Interrupt Modi’s Address

The following day, Lennon orchestrated another protest, leading a group of anti-immigrant demonstrators at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium. On Thursday, Prime Minister Modi was scheduled to address the Indian diaspora alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Lennon’s gathering was part of a pre-arranged effort to disrupt the event.

According to reports, Lennon marched with followers from the Department of Home Affairs to the stadium entrance, where they shouted racist slogans for nearly two hours while holding banners with messages such as “Stop Indian Invasion” and “Modi Go Home.” Despite the protesters’ efforts to create a scene, they were largely overshadowed by the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the event.

The loud and vibrant participation of event supporters, combined with musical performances occurring nearby, effectively drowned out the chants of the anti-immigrant group. Eventually, Lennon was compelled to leave the scene as the performances became more prominent, particularly when a local drumming group began to play directly in front of the protesters.

Modi’s Visit Concludes Amid Protests

Prime Minister Narendra Modi successfully concluded his two-day visit to Australia with an address to the Indian community and bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Albanese. Despite the presence of the protester and his group, the scheduled programme continued without significant interruptions.

Media reports indicate that Lennon has previously been linked to extremist groups, including neo-Nazi associations, and has emerged as a notable far-right influencer in Australia. He reportedly played a key role in the “March for Australia” protests that occurred nationwide, which attracted substantial participation from individuals with similar beliefs.

Both the events on Wednesday and Thursday illustrate growing tensions surrounding immigration and nationalism in Australia. However, the protests did not impede the larger celebrations or Modi’s official engagements, emphasising the resilience of the community amid external challenges.

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