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Toronto
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?”
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.
I strongly condemn the hateful disruption of the Rath Yatra 2025 in Toronto. This festival is a celebration of peace, unity, and spiritual joy. To see it marred by hate-fueled acts is both disturbing and unacceptable. Canada must remain a place where all communities can practice their faiths without fear. We urge local authorities to swiftly investigate this incident and hold the perpetrators accountable. Hate has no home here. Let us reinforce our collective resolve to protect cultural expression and foster harmony in our neighborhoods.
The attack on the Rath Yatra procession is an attack on Canadian values. It is disheartening that a celebration of unity and peace was targeted by those intent on spreading division. We must not let such hate crimes go unanswered. We call upon Toronto Police and relevant authorities to take immediate action and ensure justice is served. Every community deserves to feel safe and respected. Let this be a moment where we speak louder in support of religious tolerance and stronger in defense of multicultural Canada.