Eggs were reportedly hurled at Indians celebrating the Rath Yatra in Toronto, Canada. The incident sparked protests and prompted the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to intervene. The MEA issued a strong statement condemning the act. Netizens also slammed the attack, calling it disrespectful and ‘Hinduphobic’.

Instagram user Sangna Bajaj was in the procession that was singing and chanting devotional songs on the streets of the Canadian city when she saw eggs dropped from above. She posted an Instagram video showing the shattered eggs on the sidewalks. Bajaj said someone from a building nearby threw eggs at the Rath Yatra group. If the intention was to stop the procession, that failed. “We were shocked. Hurt. But we kept going. Because hate can never defeat faith,” said the Toronto based NRI.

The video also drew accusations of racism and xenophobia. According to the 2021 census, Hinduism is the third-largest religion in Canada. There have been numerous reports of Hindu temples being attacked and religious processions being obstructed in Canada for the last few years.

However, the MEA had said in a statement that the incident was strongly taken up with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators.

Past Incidents

Khalistani radicals defaced the Hindu Laxmi Narayan Temple in Surrey, Canada. On social networking platform X, the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce posted a video of the graffiti and referred to it as “Hinduphobia.” “We strongly condemn the vandalism of Laxmi Narayan Mandir in British Columbia (BC) by Khalistani extremists,” the charity said in an outraged statement. The Chamber further declared that “silence is not an option” and asked all Canadians to band together against hate and act quickly.

In another incident, two men vandalised the Sri Krishna Brundavana Temple in the Greater Toronto Area. The two criminals were captured on camera leaving a nearby tavern and making their way to the temple, where they were observed destroying and breaking a sign at the entrance.

In November 2024, a Hindu temple was attacked in Canada. A violent group of men flying the banners of pro-Khalistani organisations attacked the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple in Brampton, Canada, which is just outside of Toronto. Social media users shared videos of what seemed to be fistfights and pole-throwing altercations on the temple grounds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi even condemned this occurrence, urging the Canadian government to “ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”

There are many more incidents when Hindu temples were targeted. Recently, when the Lord Jagannath procession was moving in Canada, someone hurled eggs. A video of the incident also circulated on social media platforms.

Egg Incident

Kisi ne yaha par abhi aande feke hai, a devotee could be heard saying in the video. Despite the egg incident. The procession didn’t stop, and they continued. The woman, who posted the video, also said, “Someone from a nearby building threw eggs at us… Why? Because faith makes noise? Because joy looked unfamiliar? We didn’t stop. Because when Lord Jagannath is on the streets, no hate can shake us. This is not just a festival, it’s an unshakable belief.”

What the ministry said:

The ministry termed the incident “regrettable” and called for strict action.