Bhubaneswar: Amid reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during Rath Yatra celebrations in Canada’s Toronto, India on Monday strongly condemned disruption of the procession.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the incident a ‘despicable’ and ‘regrettable’ act that violates the spirit of the festival.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “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.”
Our response to media queries regarding an incident during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto, Canada
🔗 https://t.co/4KnXWKDVkX pic.twitter.com/Q262jZReJP— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 14, 2025
The incident, which came to the fore after Instagram user Sangna Bajaj shared a video of the procession with broken eggs splattered on the sidewalks, sparked accusations of racism and xenophobia.
Bajaj said that the eggs were thrown from a nearby building at the participants, who accompanied the chariot singing devotional songs and playing cymbals and gongs, with an intention to stop the procession. “We were stunned. Hurt. But we didn’t stop. Because hate can never overpower faith. When Lord Jagannath is on the streets, no hate can shake us. This is not just a festival — it’s unshakable belief,” the Toronto-based NRI wrote.
The incident has drawn a sharp criticism from Odisha, where the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings holds deep cultural and emotional significance. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took to social media to express his anguish.