Neo-Nazi protesters and members of the Australian Indian diaspora demonstrated outside Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on Thursday, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to speak at a sold-out event attended by approximately 30,000 people. The protests marked a continuation of demonstrations that began upon Modi's arrival in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
Far-right activist Hugo Lennon, known online as 'Auspill' and a figure associated with previous anti-immigration protests in Australia, was among those demonstrating outside the stadium. Lennon was also documented heckling Modi upon his arrival at his Melbourne hotel, shouting anti-immigrant sentiments. Police had previously moved Lennon on from the hotel and maintained a visible presence throughout the events, citing concerns over a death threat allegedly made against Modi earlier in the week.
Demonstrators held signs with messages such as 'stop Indian invasion' and 'Modi go home,' reflecting an anti-immigration stance. Lennon is the grandson of Tony Lennon, a former chairman of the real estate development company Peet Limited.
In parallel, the Alliance Against Islamophobia planned a demonstration to protest what they described as discrimination against minorities in India. The group called for an end to "hatred, bigotry and persecution, including anti-Muslim hate, attacks on minorities, tribals, suppression of dissent, pressure on journalists and civil society and the erosion of democratic freedoms in India."
Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi engaged in bilateral discussions with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as part of the third India-Australia Annual Leaders' Summit. A key outcome of these discussions was a deal for Australia to sell uranium to India for peaceful purposes. The leaders also met with business leaders, and discussions were expected to cover tertiary education arrangements, information sharing, and naval exercises, as Australia seeks to strengthen its strategic partnerships.
Modi's visit to Australia, his third official trip since becoming Prime Minister in 2014, occurs against a backdrop of geopolitical developments, including China's recent long-range missile test in the South Pacific. His public engagements in Australia have historically drawn large crowds, with organizers of the 'Melbourne Meet Modi' event noting that tickets sold out rapidly. During a previous visit in 2023, Prime Minister Albanese lauded Modi, comparing the crowd's energy to that of a Bruce Springsteen concert.