India has lodged a strong protest with Canadian authorities after eggs were hurled at a Rath Yatra procession in Toronto over the weekend. The incident has been widely condemned as "despicable".

The annual Rath Yatra festival, which features a grand chariot procession of Lord Jagannath, was disrupted when individuals allegedly threw eggs at devotees. The incident has sparked outrage and concern, with many calling for swift action against those responsible.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the situation on Monday, stating that the disruption was caused by "mischievous elements" and went against the spirit of the celebration. Jaiswal emphasized that such acts are regrettable and contradict the festival's aim of promoting unity, inclusivity, and social harmony.

The Indian government has urged Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure that such incidents are not repeated. Jaiswal expressed hope that the Canadian government will take the necessary steps to protect the religious rights of its people.

Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also voiced his concern, urging the Odisha government to ask the External Affairs Ministry to register a strong protest with Canadian authorities. Patnaik expressed deep distress over the reports, stating that such incidents not only hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannath's devotees worldwide but also cause anguish to the people of Odisha, for whom the festival holds immense emotional and cultural significance.

The incident came to light after a Toronto-based user, Sangna Bajaj, posted about it on Instagram, sharing that people from a nearby building threw eggs at them. She also questioned whether this was an act of discrimination against their faith, which triggered widespread anger among the Indian diaspora in Canada.

This is not the first instance of Hindu temples and religious events being targeted in Canada. India has previously requested Canada to ensure the protection of Hindu religious sites. The recent incident has amplified these concerns, prompting stronger calls for action to safeguard the religious rights and sentiments of the Indian community in Canada.