Hasan Minhaj, an Indian origin stand-up comedian, and Netflix’s Patriot Act host was recently denied entry into the NRG Stadium in Houston where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Howdy Modi!’ event was held on Sunday.
A video is doing the rounds on social media, in which the popular comedian is seen talking to a media coordinator from the press registration desk outside the venue on phone to get his crew inside.
“We’re just trying to get our credentials,” the comedian said. “There are no credentials,” the coordinator replied. “But our credentials are right here,” Minhaj said. He then asked, “But you told me we were denied because of the jokes”.
To this, the person on the phone replied, “No, I didn’t say you were denied because of the jokes.” Minhaj said, “But some people were not happy.”
This was in reference to an episode on Patriot Act that was aired on March 17, titled "Indian Elections", in which Hasan took a dig at PM Modi. Later, he was massively trolled for the episode.
The coordinator said, “Yeah, some people were not happy, but that doesn’t matter to me much. The reason I can’t get you in is due to the lack of space for broadcast crews.”
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
The comic and political commentator, who is proactive on social media, is yet to respond to the reports or clarify whether he and the crew managed to enter the venue.
Minhaj, who is proactive on social media, is yet to respond to the reports or shed light on whether he and the crew managed to enter the venue.
On Sunday, Minhaj had also posted a picture of himself in front of the venue, saying: "Here to celebrate two great nations coming together to hug and tug. India first. But America first too. #HowdyModi."
Patriot Act’s episode on Indian Elections where Hasan analyzed the results:
By Sowmya Sangam
