Far-right personality escorted from hotel after shouting obscenities towards Indian Prime Minister
A social media personality with connections to Australia’s far-right was escorted from a Melbourne hotel yesterday after shouting obscenities towards Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Hugo Lennon, also known by his social media handle “auspill”, posted several photos and videos showing him shouting “F--k Modi” and “F--k India” in the lobby of a hotel early on Thursday morning as the Indian leader arrived.
Lennon shouted, “this country is for Australians” before being dragged away from the hotel balcony by police. Telegram
“No more Indians! This Country is for Australians,” he shouted as he made negative comments towards migration.
The video was accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek caption: “Kind Aussie gives Modi warm welcome”.
Lennon was on a balcony of the hotel, seeming to be standing above the actual lobby where Modi was walking through.
The short video shows Lennon being dragged away from the edge of the balcony by several police officers.
“A man attended a hotel and shouted political statements about 12.30am on Thursday, 9 July,” a Victoria Police spokesperson told nine.com.au.
The 22-year-old man was moved on by police without incident.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor criticised the protest, saying it could jeopardise a relationship with a crucial partner.
“There’s a reasonable debate about the numbers and standards of migration in this country but this is that is not the appropriate place,” Taylor told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday.
“This is a relationship with a very important country in our region and we need to strengthen.”
The Indian Prime Minister touched down in Australia ahead of a rally in Melbourne, called “Melbourne Meets Modi” at Marvel Stadium in Docklands.
A similar rally was held in Sydney in 2023, drawing a crowd of 20,000 people, with Modi being flanked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The pair have been pictured together in Melbourne on Thursday morning as Modi’s official visit begins.
A similar crowd is expected for the main event on Thursday, but some protesters from different groups may also attempt to make their presence felt.
Protests from the Khalistan movement, which pushes for an independent homeland for Sikhs within India, as well as human rights groups, are expected to protest against the visit of Modi, but it is not known how large these protests will be.
Modi and Albanese will attend a “Melbourne for Modi” gathering at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night. Asanka Ratnayake
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Thursday, including the event at Marvel Stadium, would be a “big day”, and highlighted the importance of India as a trading partner and the impact of the Indian diaspora and their contribution to Australia.
“They’re proud of their heritage, but they’re also proud Australians. They are entrepreneurs, they’re investors. They’re people who’ve come here to make a better life for themselves and their families,” Albanese told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.
“This is an important relationship.”
Albanese said several announcements would be made at the “Melbourne for Modi” event.
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