Eggs Thrown at Rath Yatra Devotees in Toronto, Sparks Racism Row

Instagram user Sangna Bajaj, who was part of the chanting and singing crowd, captured broken eggs on the street in a video that has since gone viral. She described the incident as “racist” and deeply hurtful but affirmed that it did not stop the devotees from continuing the celebration.

Bajaj acknowledged that this incident — which she

“We were stunned. Hurt. But we didn’t stop. Because hate can never overpower faith,” Bajaj, a Toronto-based makeup artist, said on Instagram. “Someone from a nearby building threw eggs at us. Why? Because faith makes noise? Because joy looked unfamiliar?”

Bajaj was participating in ISKCON Toronto’s 53rd annual Rath Yatra, a vibrant street celebration featuring music, chants, and a grand procession of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra Devi.

While many condemned the egg attack as an act of racism and xenophobia, the video also ignited divided opinions online. Some commenters criticized the public display of religious rituals, calling them a public nuisance, and argued that such events should be confined to private or temple spaces. Others went as far as saying, “Go back to India.”

One user posted, “This is not peaceful. Why do we find the need to publicly show off our celebrations? Respect the country and the way people live here.”

ISKCON’s website describes Rath Yatra as a spiritually uplifting experience that brings deities “out from the temple and onto the streets, blessing everyone with Their merciful glances.”

The incident has raised questions around multicultural coexistence in Canada and the boundaries between religious expression and public tolerance.

No official statement from Toronto authorities has been issued yet.