Hindu festival procession targeted with eggs in Canada, sparking debate over racism and cultural intolerance
A peaceful rathyatra procession celebrating Lord Jagannath on the streets of Toronto took an ugly turn when eggs were hurled at the participants from a nearby building.
The incident, which occurred during an ISKCON-organized event, has triggered outrage among the Indian diaspora and reignited discussions about racism and religious intolerance in Canada, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
“Faith makes noise—but no hate can silence it,” says NRI participant
Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Sangna Bajaj, who attended the event, shared her experience on Instagram, posting a video showing broken eggs scattered across the sidewalk. In the caption, she wrote: “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.”
-
Despite the disturbing act, Bajaj said the community remained undeterred. “We were stunned, hurt.”
-
“We didn’t stop. Because hate can never overpower faith,” she added.
Incident sparks polarised reactions online
The video, which quickly gained traction, drew mixed reactions on social media. While some condemned the act, calling it “hate on faith,” others criticized the public nature of the celebration. One user commented, “I support eggs,” while another wrote, “Why rub cultural differences in other people’s faces? Celebrate in temples, not streets.”
Others, however, defended the Indian community and its contribution to Canadian society. “Indians are the No.1 immigrant community in Canada—doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, and taxpayers who build the economy. If multiculturalism bothers you, maybe check your own worth before judging others,” one user responded.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by immigrant communities in preserving cultural and religious traditions while navigating multicultural landscapes. Despite the provocation, the message from the community remains clear: faith and unity will not be shaken by hate.
