Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Australia witnessed a security scare after a far-right anti-immigrant protester shouted slogans at him inside a Melbourne hotel. The incident took place shortly after PM Modi arrived in the city and was later followed by another attempt to disrupt his address to the Indian community at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the protest did not affect the Prime Minister’s official engagements, and he completed his Australia visit before leaving for New Zealand as part of his three-nation tour.
Protester shouts anti-immigrant slogans at Melbourne Hotel
The individual has been identified as 22-year-old Hugo Lennon, who reportedly uses the social media identity “Auspill”. A video shared online showed him shouting from an upper level of the hotel while PM Modi walked along a red carpet in the lobby.
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“This is Australia. No more Indians. We don’t want any more migration. This country is for Australians,” Lennon was heard yelling.
Police officers immediately intervened and escorted him away from the first-floor balcony overlooking the lobby as he continued raising slogans.
Attempt to disrupt PM Modi’s diaspora address
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Lennon later tried to interrupt PM Modi’s speech at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, where thousands of members of the Indian diaspora had gathered. However, loud music drowned out his voice, and he was eventually forced to leave the venue.
Despite the disruption attempts, the Prime Minister’s public programme continued without interruption.
Victoria Police respond
A spokesperson for Victoria Police confirmed that officers responded to the incident at the hotel during the early hours of Wednesday.
“He was moved on by police without incident,” the spokesperson told the Sydney Morning Herald.
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The police spokesperson said that a 22-year-old man had “attended a hotel and shouted political statements” at around 12.30 am.
Authorities have not disclosed how the protester became aware of PM Modi’s location or how close he managed to get to the Indian leader. However, local media reported that some far-right influencers had circulated details of the Prime Minister’s movements on social media during the visit.
Who Is Hugo Lennon?
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Hugo Lennon is described as a “neo-Nazi associate” and the heir to a wealthy property development family who has emerged as a far-right influencer.
The Daily Mail reported that he was among the key figures associated with the anti-immigration “March for Australia” rallies held across the country last year. Australian media outlets have also reported that several organisers of those demonstrations, including Lennon, were allegedly linked to neo-Nazi and white nationalist groups.
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PM Modi wrapped up his Australia visit after holding bilateral talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and addressing the Indian community in Melbourne. He then departed for New Zealand, the third stop of his three-nation state tour, after previously visiting Indonesia.
FAQs:
Who is Hugo Lennon, the man who heckled PM Modi in Australia?
Hugo Lennon is a 22-year-old far-right influencer who has been described by Australian media as a neo-Nazi associate.
Why was PM Modi heckled during his Melbourne visit?
The protester shouted anti-immigration slogans targeting Indians while PM Modi was staying at a Melbourne hotel during his Australia visit.