Popular Indian-origin comedian Hasan Minhaj was reportedly not allowed to enter the NRG Stadium for the ‘Howdy, Modi’ event on Sunday.
A video of the comedian outside the stadium posted on Twitter by The Sparrow Project is going viral online and in it, one can see Hasan trying to get his crew inside the venue.
The combination of screen recordings of Instagram story clips posted by Adam Matthew Weiss, who was present at the Texas event, was shared on Twitter with the caption, "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)."
The first clip begins with Hasan speaking on the phone, "We are just trying to get our credentials." To which, the voice on the phone replies, "Yeah, but I don’t have any credentials to get you."
Hasan can be seen pointing to the credentials set for him on the table saying, "There’s credentials right here."
To which the person replies, "I know, but I am telling you that outside of one journalist, there’s no one else coming. But there is no other credential that I can give you."
Hasan was then heard confronting the person, "You told me 'You were denied because of the jokes'." To which the man replies, "I didn’t say you were denied because of the jokes." Hasan can be heard replying to that saying, "Some people were not happy."
The video is then followed by clips of empty seats earmarked for the press.
Minhaj himself is yet to respond to the reports or clarify the matter.
In an episode of his comedic commentary show Patriot Act aired on March 17, called ‘Indian Elections’, Hasan had taken a dig at PM Narendra Modi. He was later massively trolled on social media for the episode.
On Sunday, Hasan Minhaj had also posted a picture of himself outside the stadium saying, "Here to celebrate two great nations coming together to hug and tug. India first. But America first too. #HowdyModi."