A video showing eggs thrown at a Rath Yatra procession in Toronto has prompted a sharp response from India’s foreign ministry, which called the act “regrettable” and urged Canadian authorities to take action.
The video, shared online by Instagram user Sangna Bajaj, shows broken eggs scattered on the street as a group of devotees chants and sings devotional songs during the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)’s 53rd annual Rath Yatra.
“We have seen reports regarding disruption created by mischievous elements during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
“Such despicable acts are regrettable and are against the spirit of festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony,” he added.
Jaiswal said India has taken up the matter with Canadian authorities and called on them to identify those responsible.
“We hope the Canadian government will take necessary action to protect the religious rights of people,” he said.
The Instagram video shows a peaceful procession moving through a residential neighborhood. As it enters a quieter area, eggs appear on the road, some visibly broken.
Bajaj, who posted the video, said the eggs were thrown from a nearby building. “We were stunned. Hurt. But we didn’t stop. Because hate can never overpower faith,” she wrote in the caption.
She attributed the incident to racism and said it left participants shaken but not discouraged. “When Lord Jagannath is on the streets, no hate can shake us,” her post read.
ISKCON’s Rath Yatra is an annual celebration marked by singing, dancing, and pulling of decorative chariots through the streets. Toronto’s version of the event has a history of pulling large crowds.
The video’s already been watched by more than 170,000 people—and counting. Commenters shared both their support and their worries about how unsafe religious events can feel abroad.
So far, there’s been no formal word from Canadian authorities.
