A peaceful religious procession in Toronto – the 53rd annual ISKCON Rath Yatra was disrupted when eggs were thrown at participants, prompting strong reactions and accusations of racism and xenophobia from the South Asian community. The incident was documented by Instagram user Sangna Bajaj, a Toronto-based makeup artist and devotee, whose video showing broken eggs on the sidewalk quickly went viral
According to Bajaj, the eggs were thrown from a nearby building as devotees sang and chanted bhajans during the street procession.
While the procession continued undeterred, Bajaj said the act left her shaken. Labeling it an incident of racism, she questioned in her Instagram post, “Someone from a nearby building threw eggs at us. Why? Because faith makes noise? Because joy looked unfamiliar?” She added, “We didn’t stop. Because when Lord Jagannath is on the streets, no hate can shake us.”
Mixed reactions on social media
Bajaj’s video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, sparked heated debate on social media. While many condemned the act and expressed solidarity, others questioned the nature of the public display.
“Why do you have to bring religion on the streets, and embarrass us all?” one commenter asked.
Another user noted, “In the U.S. I have seen Indians mostly practice their rituals within the boundaries of their temples, mosques and churches… However in Canada I’ve seen these being taken on to the public roads. Why?? Why does anyone want to inconvenience others for the sake of their own beliefs?”
Comments ranged from calls for cultural sensitivity to outright hostility. “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,” one user wrote. Another remarked, “Go back to India.”
Another user wrote under the post, “If you are going to create unnecessary noise pollution and inconvenience on the streets for some weird faith of yours then you deserve being treated the way you were.”
Yet another comment surfaced, echoing similar sentiments: “Why can’t you guys just live peacefully in a foreign country?”
Despite the criticism, Bajaj and other devotees chose to respond not with anger but with resilience—carrying on with their celebration of faith in the face of hate.
Bajaj, was participating in ISKCON’s 53rd annual Rath Yatra. The event is a major annual festival organised by ISKCON Toronto, drawing thousands to celebrate the deities Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Subhadra Devi with music, dance, and public chanting. The event is known for its vibrant, inclusive atmosphere, attracting participants from diverse backgrounds and supported by city services and local police
