India has strongly condemned the egg attack on the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto and urged Canada to uphold religious safety and accountability.
India has called upon Canadian authorities to ensure accountability and safeguard the religious freedom of all communities following an attack on the 53rd annual Rath Yatra in Toronto on July 11.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, described the incident as “despicable” and “regrettable,” asserting that it detracts from the festival’s core values of 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,” Jaiswal stated.
The incident unfolded in downtown Toronto, where thousands of devotees had congregated to participate in the Rath Yatra, a religious procession organized by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Despite the attack, consisting of unknown individuals reportedly throwing eggs at the procession, the event continued amid shock and astonishment among the gathered participants.
The act has sparked significant response from both political and community leaders in India. Former Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president, Naveen Patnaik, expressed his deep concern regarding the incident, urging the Ministry of External Affairs to formally protest. “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 asserted.
He further emphasized the need for the Odisha Government to treat the matter seriously and consult with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure a strong protest is lodged with Canadian authorities, should the media reports prove accurate.
In addition to calls for action, the event highlights ongoing concerns over religious freedoms and safety for minority communities abroad. The Rath Yatra, revered as an essential cultural and spiritual event by the Hindu community, emphasizes communal inclusivity, a principle believed to be threatened by the attack.
According to New India Abroad, the Canadian government has been approached to address and rectify the situation, ensuring the respect and protection of religious rights internationally.
Source: Original article