Following the disruption of the yearly Rath Yatra procession in Toronto, Canada, which has caused indignation and anxiety within the Indian diaspora as well as within India itself, India has strongly condemned the event.
When somebody from an adjacent building allegedly threw eggs at attendees, the event—a major religious festival for Hindus honoring Lord Jagannath—was ruined. Many have called for immediate action from Canadian authorities to establish accountability and preserve religious freedom in response to the incident, which has been characterized as “despicable” and “against the spirit of the festival.”
The disturbance happened during ISKCON Toronto’s 53rd annual Rath Yatra, where people marched across Yonge Street in a singing and dancing public show of devotion.
After footage and social media photos, particularly by Toronto-based user Sangna Bajaj, revealed eggs being thrown at the procession from a residential building, the incident attracted a lot of attention. Devotees persisted in celebrating in spite of the attack, highlighting fortitude in the face of hardship.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs, or MEA: The act was deemed “regrettable” and “against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony,” according to official spokeswoman Randhir Jaiswal.
The MEA has formally brought up the matter with Canadian authorities, requesting that they take the required actions to safeguard the religious rights of all communities and hold those responsible accountable.
Former Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik expressed profound sorrow, pointing out the festival’s cultural and emotional importance to the Odishan people as well as the international Jagannath community. He demanded that the MEA and the Odisha government file a formal protest with Canada.
Targeted attacks on Hindu places of worship in Canada are a worrying trend, and the Rath Yatra tragedy is not an exception. Numerous Hindu temples in towns like Edmonton, Windsor, Mississauga, Brampton, and Surrey have seen anti-Indian and pro-Khalistan graffiti defiled or vandalized in recent years. Concerns regarding the safety of religious minorities in Canada have increased as a result of these actions, which have been denounced time and time again by Indian and Canadian authorities.
Discussions over the existence and actions of Khalistani sympathizers in Canada have been rekindled by the attacks. International media and Canadian intelligence reports have recognized the existence of Khalistani extremist organizations in Canada, and some of their activities—like hate speech and vandalism—have been connected to demands for an independent Khalistan state in Punjab, India.
For the first time, the threat presented by these individuals has been acknowledged by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), which has confirmed that Canada has been used as a platform for planning and supporting violence against India.
The Toronto Rath Yatra incident has shown how urgently Canadian authorities must combat religious bigotry and guarantee the security of all groups. The seriousness of the incident and a wider worry about the growing trend of hate crimes and extremist activity targeting Canadian religious organizations of Indian descent are both reflected in India’s strong diplomatic response.
As both nations work to preserve the values of solidarity, inclusivity, and respect for one another, the world will be intently observing what the Canadian government does in the days ahead.
