Eggs hurled at Rath Yatra devotees in Toronto: Viral video sparks outrage; Naveen Patnaik demands MEA action
A peaceful Rath Yatra procession in Toronto was disrupted when residents of a nearby building allegedly hurled eggs at devotees. The incident gained attention after a video went viral on Instagram, capturing eggs thrown near the procession.
Narrating the incident, Sangna Bajaj wrote on Instagram, 'Someone from a nearby building threw eggs at us.. Why? Because faith makes noise? Because joy looked unfamiliar? We didn't stop. Because when Lord Jagannath is on the streets, no hate can shake us."
The Toronto based user said the procession continued despite the disruption with participants maintaining their devotion and spirit.
'We were stunned. Hurt. But we didn't stop.
Because hate can never overpower faith,' she said.
The attack took place during Iskcon's 53rd annual Rath Yatra in Toronto, celebrated on July 11 from 11 am to 1 pm.
According to Iskcon, the Rath Yatra is a public and vibrant celebration where devotees bring the deities, Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra Devi, out onto the streets, accompanied by loud kirtans and devotional singing.
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India slams Rath Yatra disruption in Toronto, calls incident 'despicable'; urges Canada to act against perpetrators
The Indian government has formally raised concerns with Canada over the incident and urged that those responsible be held accountable.
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Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the incident as "despicable" and "regrettable," stating, "We have seen reports regarding disruption created by mischievous elements during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto. Such despicable acts are regrettable and are against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony."
"We have strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators of the act accountable.
We hope the Canadian Government will take necessary action to protect the religious rights of people,' he added.
Former Odisha chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik expressed deep concern over the incident.
"Deeply disturbed to know about the reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during #RathaJatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada. Such incidents not only grievously hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannatha's devotees worldwide, but also cause deep anguish to the people of #Odisha," he wrote in a post on X sharing images of the procession.
Patnaik urged the ministry of external affairs to lodge a strong protest and called on both the Centre and the Odisha state government to take the matter seriously.
The video drew mixed reactions online. While many condemned the act, calling it 'deeply disrespectful,' others offered a more critical take on public religious events. One user wrote, 'Throwing eggs at the Jagannath Ratha Yatra in Canada is a deeply disrespectful act and must be condemned in the strongest terms.' Another commented, 'If you bring religion to the streets, you need to factor in all this as well—goes for any religion, for that matter.
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