India has strongly condemned the attack on devotees during the annual Rath Yatra procession in Toronto, Canada, after eggs were hurled at participants celebrating the revered Hindu festival. The incident, which took place during ISKCON’s 53rd Rath Yatra, was captured in a video shared by Toronto-based Indian makeup artist Sangna Bajaj. In the footage, Bajaj and others are seen singing devotional songs when eggs are thrown from a nearby building, leaving broken eggs scattered on the street.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the attack as “regrettable” and “against the spirit of the festival,” emphasizing that Rath Yatra is meant to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony. He confirmed that India has “strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable,” urging the Canadian government to protect the religious rights of all people.
Despite being “stunned” and “hurt,” the devotees continued with the procession undeterred. Bajaj stated, “We didn’t stop. Because hate can never overpower faith,” highlighting the resilience of the community in the face of adversity. The incident quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage and accusations of racism and xenophobia, particularly among the Indian diaspora and Odia community.
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called the incident “deeply disturbing,” noting that it not only hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannath’s devotees worldwide but also caused anguish to the people of Odisha, for whom the festival holds deep cultural significance. The Rath Yatra, a centuries-old tradition originating in Puri, India, is celebrated globally as a symbol of devotion and inclusivity.
The MEA reiterated its expectation that Canadian authorities would take necessary action to ensure such acts do not recur and that perpetrators are brought to justice.
