PM Narendra Modi, who is currently on a week-long tour to the US, drew a huge number of audience to an event held in the honour of the bilateral ties between the two countries. Named Howdy Modi, the event played host to almost 50,000 audience which comprised of both Indians and Americans. With a sea of fans wanting to hear the Indian PM deliver a powerful speech, one person was apparently denied entry. The person was none other than Indian-origin stand-up comedian Hasan Minhaj, known to be the host of Netflix' Patriot Act. Hasan, like several others, wanted to witness the moment but was barred by the official at the entry gates citing a reason of 'lack of press credentials'. The comedian was accompanied by his crew.
Videos straight from the event venue gate went viral on social media platforms where one can hear the comedian struggle to get inside the NRG Stadium in Houston. In the clipping, Hasan is seen talking to the event manager and convincing him to get the team press credentials. In response to his plea, the authorities deny entry despite having credentials with them. Soon, he is heard confronting them by raging that the refusal is because of his jokes during an episode of his show that aired on March 17, called Indian Elections. For the unversed, Hasan, in the Indian Elections episode took a dig at PM Modi and faced severe backlash on social media. After all this struggle, Hasan wasn't permitted to make an entry.
An Islamophobic attack on press in 3 acts: Muslim journalist and @patriotact host @hasanminhaj was denied access at Tump/Modi event. Event producers cite lack of credentials (despite credentials set for him), cite lack of space for broadcast (press pool & camera risers 1/2 empty) pic.twitter.com/4mvjwLrFGy
— The Sparrow Project (@sparrowmedia) September 22, 2019
Hasan, on Sunday, on his Instagram account, before the event, shared a picture from the venue and wrote, "Here to celebrate two great nations coming together to hug and tug. India first. But America first too. #HowdyModi"
Hasan is better known for his witty and sharp socio-political dig against both Donald Trump and PM Modi.
(Source: Twitter/Instagram)
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