Comedian John Oliver Slams Hotstar For Blocking 'Last Week Tonight' Episode That Criticised PM Modi

"There's no evidence that the Indian government made them do that. At best, we can tell that Hotstar just decided to self-censor, which is still not good," he added.

He further said that it was not the first time the streaming service had censored multiple episodes in the past. He added that Hotstar censored a joke about Mickey Mouse in an earlier episode.

"Why did they do that? It's hard to say, but it might be because Hotstar is actually owned by Disney, and they seem extra-sensitive about Disney references," he said.

The comedian also took a jibe at TV channel editor Arnab Goswami who referred to Oliver as an "ignoramus of exceedingly global proportions; a man whose only job is as a comedian - he's not even smart enough to be a satirist." He further said that the comedian had "embarrassed" himself with the Modi episode.

Sharing a clip from Goswami's show, Oliver said, "I'll give you ignoramus. I'll even give you a third-rate TV host. My researchers assure me that's an actual compliment – but I embarrass myself? Who the f*** do you think you're talking to?!"

In his earlier episode featuring Modi, the comedian had said, "While Modi may have charmed Bear Grylls, the world, and our current president, in India, he is an increasingly controversial figure because his government has pursued a steadily escalating persecution of religious minorities."

"India, home of this (the Taj Mahal) permanent symbol of love needs much more than this temporary symbol of hate," Oliver had further said, concluding the episode.