Eggs Thrown at Rath Yatra in Toronto
Hindu worshippers in Toronto were taken aback by a disturbing experience during the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra parade last weekend when unknown people pelted eggs at the parade. The disrespectful act triggered global condemnation and fueled worries over the security of the Hindu community in Canada.
There is a viral video of the event where people are seen chanting and dancing during the traditional celebration when a voice could be heard saying, "Kisi ne yaha par abhi aande feke hai (Someone just threw eggs here)." Onlookers could be seen a few seconds later with broken eggs on the road. Despite the interruption, the devotees continued with the procession.
The woman who recorded the video then commented, "Someone from a building nearby hurled eggs at us…Why? Because faith creates noise? Because happiness appeared strange? We didn't desist. Because when Lord Jagannath is in the streets, no hate can move us. This isn't just a festival — it's an immovable faith."
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the attack as a "despicable act" and raised the issue with the Canadian authorities. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the incident as having been brought about by "mischievous elements" and contrary to the spirit of the festival that symbolizes "unity, inclusivity, and social harmony.
"We have raised the issue forcefully with Canadian authorities to ensure the perpetrators of the act are brought to book," Jaiswal said, and India hopes that Canada will safeguard the religious rights of all communities.
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also voiced his concern on social media, Seriously concerned to learn of reports of eggs being thrown at devotees at #RathaJatra festival in Toronto, Canada. Such acts not only grievously offend the sentiments of Lord Jagannatha's devotees across the globe, but also deeply pain the people of #Odisha," he tweeted on X.
This act is one in a troubling pattern. In the last two years, several Hindu temples around Canada have been vandalized, and usually, anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti were left behind.
The Laxmi Narayan Temple in Surrey was defaced with hate slogans in April 2025. Sri Krishna Brundavana Temple in Toronto was attacked by two people in March. The Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton saw violence between pro-Khalistani sympathizers in November 2024. In July 2024, Edmonton's BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir was vandalized for the fourth time within two years. In February 2024, burglars broke into Vaishno Devi Mandir in Oakville.
These repeated incidents have questioned Canada's response to growing Hinduphobia. Indian authorities have cited the unabated presence of the Khalistan movement in Canada as one of the key reasons, blaming the Canadian government for failing to rein in extremist groups.
As India demands accountability, the international Hindu diaspora keeps insisting on greater measures of protection, calling on Canada to uphold its religious freedom and respect for cultural values.
