India has strongly condemned the disruption of a Rath Yatra procession in Toronto, Canada, calling the incident a "despicable act". The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has taken up the matter with Canadian authorities, urging them to take action against the perpetrators. The incident, which involved eggs being thrown at devotees, has sparked outrage and allegations of racism and xenophobia.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that such acts are "regrettable and are against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony". He confirmed that the matter has been raised with Canadian authorities to ensure the perpetrators are held accountable.

The Rath Yatra, organized by the Indian community and ISKCON Toronto, is a significant religious procession celebrating Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra Devi. The incident occurred over the weekend and has been widely shared on social media, with many users expressing their condemnation. Sangita Bajaj, an Instagram user who participated in the procession, posted a video of broken eggs on the street, describing the event as "racist" and deeply hurtful. Despite the attack, devotees continued the celebration.

The incident has resonated strongly in Odisha, the origin of the Rath Yatra festival. Naveen Patnaik, former Chief Minister of Odisha, expressed his dismay and urged the MEA to register a strong protest with Canadian authorities. He stated that such incidents hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannath's devotees worldwide and cause deep anguish to the people of Odisha.

While many have condemned the act as racist, some online commenters have criticized the public display of religious rituals, deeming them a nuisance and suggesting they be confined to private spaces. Others have made hostile remarks, telling devotees to "go back to India".

The incident occurs amidst existing strains in India-Canada relations, particularly following the 2023 Nijjar case. This has added a geopolitical dimension to the cultural and religious concerns raised by the Rath Yatra disruption.

No official statement has been released by Toronto authorities regarding the incident. The MEA may issue a statement if reports are substantiated. The incident has sparked discussions about multicultural coexistence in Canada and the balance between religious expression and public tolerance.