Lord Jagannath Yatra pelted with eggs in Toronto: How Hindus are targeted in Canada

Hinduism is the third largest religion in Canada, as per the 2021 census. However, it appears that Hindus in the country continue to be victims of religiously motivated attacks. The latest instance — the alleged disrespect to Lord Jagannath’s rath yatra in Toronto when eggs were hurled at the procession.

The incident prompted India’s Ministry of External Affairs to issue a statement in which it denounced the move, adding that the matter had been strongly taken up with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable.

This isn’t a lone incident of Hindus being targeted in Canada — there have been several instances of vandalism and attacks on Hindu temples in the past few months.

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Eggs hurled at Rath Yatra in Toronto

Over the weekend, Hindus in Canada carried out a Lord Jagannath rath yatra in Toronto. According to a video now posted online, people are seen walking, chanting names of Lord Jagannath and dancing.

However, at one point, one can hear someone say, “Kisi ne yaha par abhi aande feke hai (Someone just threw eggs here).” Soon after, the camera turns and one can see smashed eggs on the road.

Despite the egg situation, the procession didn’t stop and they continued. The women, 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”

People from a building throw eggs at us..💁‍♀️🇨🇦 #rathayatra2025 #Toronto #canada #indiansincanada
Have you ever experienced discrimination for your faith? Share below.🇮🇳🙏🇨🇦 @Warlock_Shubh @Starboy2079 @ShawnBinda @HPhobiaWatch @ThePlacardGuy @OnTheNewsBeat pic.twitter.com/W1xRzkOKK4

— Sangna Bajaj (@SangnaBajaj) July 14, 2025

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India strongly reacts

Shortly after the video was posted on social media, former Odisha chief minister and the state’s Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik said such incidents cause deep anguish to the people of Odisha.

Taking to X, Patnaik wrote, “Deeply disturbed to know about the reports of eggs being hurled at devotees during #RathaJatra celebrations in Toronto, Canada. Such incidents not only grievously hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannatha’s devotees worldwide, but also cause deep anguish to the people of #Odisha, for whom this festival holds profound emotional and cultural significance.”

The former CM also urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to register a strong protest with Canadian authorities over the incident.

And on Monday (July 14), the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a press briefing denounced the incident, saying they had taken it up with Canadian authorities.

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

Jaiswal said the disruption was caused by “mischievous elements”. “Such despicable acts are regrettable and are against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony,” he said.

“We have strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators of the act accountable.” He added that the Indian side hopes the Canadian government will take “necessary action to protect the religious rights of people”.

Hindu temples under attack in Canada

But the incident at the Lord Jagannath yatra in Toronto isn’t a single incident. In recent years, several Hindu temples have also been vandalised across the country, often with anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti.

For instance, earlier in April, a Hindu Laxmi Narayan Temple in Surrey, Canada was vandalised by Khalistani extremists. The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce shared a video of the graffiti on social media platform X, calling the act “Hinduphobia.” The organisation expressed outrage, saying, “We strongly condemn the vandalism of Laxmi Narayan Mandir in British Coumbia (BC) by Khalistani extremists.” The Chamber further urged all Canadians to unite against hate and take swift action, declaring that “silence is not an option.”

And almost 20 days prior to that, the Sri Krishna Brundavana Temple in the Greater Toronto Area was vandalised by two men. A video showed the two miscreants leaving a pub in the area before walking to the temple, where they were seen ripping down and damaging a sign at the entrance.

Last November too, a Hindu temple was attacked in Canada. The Hindu Sabha Mandir temple in the Canadian city of Brampton , just outside of Toronto, was attacked by a violent group of men, carrying flags of pro-Khalistani groups. Videos posted to social media showed what appeared to be fist fights and people hitting each other with poles on the temple grounds.

This incident even prompted condemnation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi; he asked the Canadian government to “ensure justice and uphold the rule of law”.

In July, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton was reportedly vandalised with anti-India graffiti, targeting PM Narendra Modi and Canadian MP Chandra Arya . This was the fourth incident since September 2022 in which a BAPS temple was targeted in Canada.

Last February, burglars targeted the Vaishno Devi Mandir in Oakville, looting a significant amount of cash from the donation boxes placed before the idols, ransacking offices and stealing other items.

Many note that at the heart of rising Hinduphobia incidents in Canada is the Khalistan movement. Banned in India, the Khalistan movement continues to flourish in the North American nation, with Indian officials accusing Canada of harbouring Sikh extremists and allowing more hardline elements of the Khalistan movement to thrive.

With inputs from agencies