Neo-Nazi protesters gather outside Melbourne's Marvel Stadium for Indian Prime Minister's 'rockstar' speaking event as 30,000 buy tickets

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA and KYLIE STEVENS, SENIOR BREAKING NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA and AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 09:54, 9 July 2026 | Updated: 09:58, 9 July 2026 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first full day in Australia has ended the same as his first night, with protests from the far-right. Modi touched down in Melbourne on Wednesday night for bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the third India-Australia Annual Leaders' Summit, with a deal inked for Australia to sell uranium for peaceful purposes to the country. On Thursday afternoon, far-right activist Hugo Lennon appeared among protesters outside Marvel Stadium as it prepared to host the 'Melbourne Meet Modi' event. About 30,000 people will attend the sold out function featuring speeches by Modi and Albanese. As attendees arrived, demonstrators outside were seen holding signs reading 'stop Indian invasion' and 'Modi go home'. Lennon, who goes by 'Auspill' online, was one of the key figures behind the anti-immigration 'March for Australia' protests last year. The Indian PM's arrival was already off to a rough start with footage posted to social media showing Lennon heckling Modi in a foul-mouthed spray as he arrived at his hotel. 'F*** Modi,' he screamed from the floor above, where a large crowd had gathered. 'This is Australia. No more Indians. We don't want any more migration. This country is for Australians.' Far-right protesters (above) followed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to an event at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night Hugo Lennon (above) was spotted among protesters, just one night after he was moved on from Modi's hotel by police Demonstrators were seen holding signs reading 'stop Indian invasion' and 'Modi go home' He is the grandson of Tony Lennon, the multi-millionaire ex-chairman of one of Australia's largest real estate development companies, Peet Limited. Police remain on high alert for any further right-wing protests after a death threat allegedly directed towards Modi earlier this week set a cautious tone for his visit. Australian Federal Police issued a warning to the 'young person' accused of sending the threat online. Modi also faced backlash from the Australian Indian diaspora. While he is hugely popular with Indians living overseas, critics claim he has institutionalised discrimination against minorities -  particularly Muslims. The Alliance Against Islamophobia planned to also hold a demonstration outside Marvel Stadium. It 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, Modi was warmly greeted on the tarmac by Housing Minister Clare O'Neil, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and other dignitaries as he touched down in Melbourne, which is home to Australia's largest Indian population. Lennon (above) heckled Modi as he arrived at his hotel on Wednesday night Modi (left) met with Albanese (right) and business leaders at the Australia-India Annual Leaders' Summit on Thursday morning The protesters gathered outside Marvel Stadium during the 'Modi Meets Melbourne' event Police have maintained a strong presence and are on alert for further right-wing demonstrations 'This visit will add vigour to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,' he later tweeted. Modi met with Albanese and business leaders at the Australia-India Annual Leaders' Summit on Thursday morning. Tickets to the Marvel stadium event sold out 'faster than Taylor Swift', according to organisers. Modi and Albanese are expected to hold bilateral talks about increased tertiary study arrangements, information sharing, and naval exercises, as Australia 'looks more long-term' at strategic partnerships. The visit will have a backdrop of the long-range missile test by China in the South Pacific, which was launched this week after limited notice from Beijing. The meeting has already prompted India and Australia to strengthen their trading ties through the sale of uranium. This is Modi's third official visit to Australia since becoming Prime Minister in 2014. His previous public appearances in Sydney attracted thousands of fans. During a public reception at his last visit in 2023, Albanese hailed Modi as 'the boss' comparing the roaring crowd's energy to a legendary Bruce Springsteen concert.