Latest news with #Jagannatha
Scroll.in
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
‘Regrettable': India on reports of eggs being thrown at Rath Yatra in Canada
India on Monday described as ' regrettable ' reports of eggs allegedly thrown at devotees during a Rath Yatra procession in Canada's Toronto. The Ministry of External Affairs said that the matter had been taken up with Canadian authorities. This came after a woman participating in the procession noticed eggs allegedly being thrown at them from a nearby building and posted about it on social media, The Indian Express reported. The video was widely shared on social media. 'We have seen reports regarding disruption created by mischievous elements during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto,' ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement. Our response to media queries regarding an incident during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto, Canada 🔗 — Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 14, 2025 Jaiswal said that the 'despicable acts' were regrettable and 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,' he added. 'We hope the Canadian government will take necessary action to protect the religious rights of people,' the external affairs ministry said. The alleged incident took place at a procession taken out during the Chariot Fest Ratha Yatra organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Toronto between July 11 and July 13, India Today reported. The celebration brings the idols of the Hindu deities Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra 'out from the temple and onto the streets, blessing everyone with their merciful glances', according to ISKON's website. Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed concern about eggs being thrown at the event and said that the incident had caused deep anguish to the residents of the state. 'Such incidents not only grievously hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannatha's devotees worldwide, but also cause deep anguish to the people of Odisha, for whom this festival holds profound emotional and cultural significance,' the Biju Janata Dal leader said on X. Patnaik urged the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Odisha to take the matter seriously and called on the external affairs ministry to 'register a strong protest with the Canadian authorities' about the incident. During the Rath Yatra in Odisha, the idols of Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath are carried in chariots from the Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple 2.6 kms away, where they stay for nine days. This year, the festival began on June 27 and concluded on July 5.
Canada Standard
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
"Despicable act, against spirit of festival": MEA condemns Toronto's Rath Yatra disruption, urges Canada to take action
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): India on Monday strongly condemned the disruption caused during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto, calling the act despicable and urging the Canadian authorities to take action against those responsible. In response to media queries on the incident, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, '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,' he added. Jaiswal further noted, '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,' the spokesperson said. Echoing the concerns raised by the MEA, former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed deep concern over reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during the Ratha Jatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada, calling the incident deeply disturbing and hurtful to the sentiments of devotees of Lord Jagannatha worldwide. 'Deeply disturbed to know about the reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during Ratha Jatra 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, for whom this festival holds profound emotional and cultural significance,' Patnaik said in a post on X. Urging prompt action, he called on the Odisha Government and the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with Canadian authorities. 'If these media reports are accurate, the Odisha Government should take the matter seriously and urge the Ministry of External Affairs to register a strong protest with the Canadian authorities,' he added. The remarks came in response to posts by Toronto-based Instagram user Sangna Bajaj, who alleged that eggs were thrown at devotees from a nearby building during the celebrations. 'People from a building throw eggs at us,' she wrote in one post. In another, she stated, 'Someone from a nearby building threw eggs at us. Have you ever experienced discrimination for your faith?' In a troubling recurrence of targeted attacks on Hindu places of worship across Canada, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton fell victim once more to vandalism. The recent attack adds to a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance. Last year, a Hindu temple in Windsor suffered defacement with anti-India graffiti, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials. Earlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted, drawing strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada. Canadian law enforcement agencies have been urged to take proactive measures to address these threats and ensure the safety and security of all religious communities in Canada. The incidents have prompted renewed discussions on bolstering security measures around Hindu temples and enhancing efforts to combat extremist propaganda. Meanwhile, several global reports have highlighted the growing concerns over Khalistani sympathisers operating within Canada, with incidents often linked to calls for an independent Khalistan state in India's Punjab region. (ANI)
India Gazette
14-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Despicable act, against spirit of festival": MEA condemns Toronto's Rath Yatra disruption, urges Canada to take action
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): India on Monday strongly condemned the disruption caused during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto, calling the act despicable and urging the Canadian authorities to take action against those responsible. In response to media queries on the incident, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, '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,' he added. Jaiswal further noted, '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,' the spokesperson said. Echoing the concerns raised by the MEA, former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed deep concern over reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during the Ratha Jatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada, calling the incident deeply disturbing and hurtful to the sentiments of devotees of Lord Jagannatha worldwide. 'Deeply disturbed to know about the reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during Ratha Jatra 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, for whom this festival holds profound emotional and cultural significance,' Patnaik said in a post on X. Urging prompt action, he called on the Odisha Government and the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with Canadian authorities. 'If these media reports are accurate, the Odisha Government should take the matter seriously and urge the Ministry of External Affairs to register a strong protest with the Canadian authorities,' he added. The remarks came in response to posts by Toronto-based Instagram user Sangna Bajaj, who alleged that eggs were thrown at devotees from a nearby building during the celebrations. 'People from a building throw eggs at us,' she wrote in one post. In another, she stated, 'Someone from a nearby building threw eggs at us. Have you ever experienced discrimination for your faith?' In a troubling recurrence of targeted attacks on Hindu places of worship across Canada, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton fell victim once more to vandalism. The recent attack adds to a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance. Last year, a Hindu temple in Windsor suffered defacement with anti-India graffiti, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials. Earlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted, drawing strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada. Canadian law enforcement agencies have been urged to take proactive measures to address these threats and ensure the safety and security of all religious communities in Canada. The incidents have prompted renewed discussions on bolstering security measures around Hindu temples and enhancing efforts to combat extremist propaganda. Meanwhile, several global reports have highlighted the growing concerns over Khalistani sympathisers operating within Canada, with incidents often linked to calls for an independent Khalistan state in India's Punjab region. (ANI)
Deccan Herald
14-07-2025
- Deccan Herald
India protests after Rath Yatra in Toronto disrupted by 'mischievous elements', eggs thrown at devotees
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,…
Canada Standard
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
"Deeply disturbed": Naveen Patnaik on reports of eggs hurled at Ratha Jatra devotees in Toronto; urges Odisha Govt, MEA to act
Toronto [Canada], July 14 (ANI): Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed deep concern over reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during the Ratha Jatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada, calling the incident deeply disturbing and hurtful to the sentiments of devotees of Lord Jagannatha worldwide. 'Deeply disturbed to know about the reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during Ratha Jatra 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, for whom this festival holds profound emotional and cultural significance,' Patnaik said in a post on X. Urging prompt action, he called on the Odisha Government and the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with Canadian authorities. 'If these media reports are accurate, the Odisha Government should take the matter seriously and urge the Ministry of External Affairs to register a strong protest with the Canadian authorities,' he added. The remarks came in response to posts by Toronto-based Instagram user Sangna Bajaj, who alleged that eggs were thrown at devotees from a nearby building during the celebrations. 'People from a building throw eggs at us,' she wrote in one post. In another, she stated, 'Someone from a nearby building threw eggs at us. Have you ever experienced discrimination for your faith?' In a troubling recurrence of targeted attacks on Hindu places of worship across Canada, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton fell victim once more to vandalism. The recent attack adds to a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance. Last year, a Hindu temple in Windsor suffered defacement with anti-India graffiti, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for action from both Canadian and Indian officials. Earlier incidents in Mississauga and Brampton saw temples similarly targeted, drawing strong reactions from the Indian community in Canada. Canadian law enforcement agencies have been urged to take proactive measures to address these threats and ensure the safety and security of all religious communities in Canada. The incidents have prompted renewed discussions on bolstering security measures around Hindu temples and enhancing efforts to combat extremist propaganda. Meanwhile, several global reports have highlighted the growing concerns over Khalistani sympathisers operating within Canada, with incidents often linked to calls for an independent Khalistan state in India's Punjab region. (ANI)
