Popular comedian Hasan Minhaj got too many requests from his fans to do an episode on upcoming Indian elections and how could he disappoint his fans. He tried to break down the Lok Sabha Election 2019 for the global audience. On the latest episode of Netflix’s Patriot Act, Hasan Minhaj analysed the current state of Indian politics and also took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As per Hasan’s show format, this episode could probably the best Civics lesson you have had in your entire life mainly because he is the king of analogies and there could be no easier way to describe India’s current political scene. Ranging from who is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his landslide 2014 elections victory to his RSS connection, Minhaj bared it all in a merely thirty-minute episode. Mind you, this was no one-sided argument, the comedian hasn’t forgotten his journalistic ethics and reached out to India’s biggest political parties currently fighting it out in the 2019 elections. While BJP (current ruling party) failed to respond for his interview request, Indian National Congress (currently opposition party) managed to send the most eloquent person around, MP Shashi Tharoor for their rescue.
The comedian was expecting a backlash as his episode starts with him discussing the idea with his family and friends, who think it to be a bad idea. However, he didn’t listen to them and the episode is already up on Netflix. Previously, Netflix had taken down an episode of Hasan Minhaj’s comedy when he criticised Saudi Arabia.
Minhaj has dared to do what most Indian journalists are scared or far less bothered to speak about, the people in power and their past. From calling Congress President Rahul Gandhi as India’s Michael Buble to calling out Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, ‘a monk with a gun’, he didn’t spare Modi’s awkward ‘hugging’ obsession with International leaders either. Be it demonetization or the 2G scam, everything was carefully placed in the show.
Twitterati had a mixed response to his video. While some called it poorly researched biased report, and have started trending #BoycottNetflix as they aren’t too happy with the episode. While others found it bang on and asked viewers to watch it before it’s taken down by Netflix.
@hasanminhaj A thought completely biased should not be praised or even worth to listen…highly disappointed…you better restraint talking about politics in India as you don't have enough knowledge! #Netflix #Boycott https://t.co/bCs1GIThzc
— Nidhi Neema (@NeemaNidhi) March 19, 2019
#BoycottNetflix as it's spring #HasanMinhaj who is trying to put his biased views on indian polity
If at all he is so humourous why not make some observations on other side— Chowkidar Ashu Tomar (@ashutomarbhan) March 19, 2019
Now the @NetflixIndia @netflix will feel the heat. Mass of people will unsubscribe and rate negative. Good Luck. #BoycottNetflix
— Surya त्रिपाठी (@tsuryaa) March 19, 2019
#BoycottNetflix #HassanMinhaj He is either teaming up with terrorist element in Pakistan or sheer lack of understanding of the situation between India and Pakistan Or may be Poor research on his part. I think he will be Hasan Papu after Rahul Papu.
— Chowkidar Tenzin Norbu (@Tenzinnorbuu) March 19, 2019
Indian election coverage by @hasanminhaj is the worst form of shameless hinduphobia on display.. @netflix and @NetflixIndia giving a platform to this bigot is disgusting #boycottnetflix
— BJP 2019 (@ashish_agarwal) March 18, 2019
