[Watch] Eggs Hurled At Rath Yatra Procession In Canada; Naveen Patnaik Expresses Concern

Bhubaneswar: Former chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed shock over reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during Rath Yatra celebrations in Canada’s Toronto.

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.

In a post on X, Naveen said he was deeply disturbed by the incident. “Such incidents not only grievously hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannath’s devotees worldwide, but also cause deep anguish to the people of Odisha, for whom this festival holds profound emotional and cultural significance,” he wrote. 

If media reports are accurate, the Odisha government should take the matter seriously, he said.

Naveen also urged to Ministry of External Affairs to register a strong protest with the Canadian authorities.