Egg Attack at Toronto Ratha Yatra Sparks Global Outrage, Odisha Demands Diplomatic Action
Toronto, Canada(OT Webdesk) — A sacred celebration turned unsettling over the weekend (July 12–13, 2025) as eggs were reportedly hurled at devotees during the annual Ratha Yatra chariot procession, organised by ISKCON Toronto and the Indian diaspora.
Participants described the act as racist and deeply disrespectful. Instagram user Sangita Bajaj shared visuals of broken eggs on the festival route, igniting a firestorm of condemnation across social media.
Despite the provocation, devotees continued the celebrations with unwavering dignity.
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik voiced serious concern over the incident, demanding India’s Ministry of External Affairs formally protest to Canadian authorities. “Such acts grievously hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannatha’s devotees and cause deep anguish to the people of Odisha,” he wrote on X.
The Ratha Yatra, originating in Puri, Odisha, holds immense emotional and spiritual weight for Odias globally.
The Toronto incident not only wounded religious sentiments but also exposed tensions around multicultural coexistence and religious expression abroad.
Speculation surrounds possible involvement of radical groups, though no official suspects have been named. With India–Canada relations still tense following the 2023 Nijjar episode, this incident further complicates diplomatic dynamics.
A formal statement from the MEA is anticipated by July 15, 2025, with Odisha officials urging swift intervention.
As communities await accountability, the incident has sparked a global dialogue about respect, tolerance, and the safeguarding of cultural identities.
