The incident occurred during ISKCON's 53rd annual Rath Yatra celebration on July 11, 2025, a vibrant event marked by devotional singing and public festivities.

Senior servitor of Puri Jagannath Temple, Binayak Dasmohapatra, urged immediate government action, highlighting the emotional impact on devotees.

The Indian government has formally raised the issue with Canadian authorities, expecting them to take action against those responsible and to ensure the protection of religious freedoms.

The incident sparked mixed reactions online, with many condemning the act while others debated the public expression of religious events.

The protest was intensified by a call from BJD president Naveen Patnaik to address the sensitive issue, reflecting the festival's cultural significance for devotees worldwide.

India's External Affairs Ministry condemned the act, describing the disruptors as 'mischievous elements' and emphasizing that such actions go against the festival's spirit of unity and social harmony.

The Rath Yatra is an annual Hindu festival featuring the chariot of Lord Jagannath, celebrated worldwide, including in Odisha, India, where the festival originates.

Odisha's former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep concern over the incident, calling for a strong protest from the Indian government and stating it hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannath's devotees.

India strongly condemned the disruption of the Rath Yatra in Toronto, describing the acts as 'despicable' and urging Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable, emphasizing the importance of protecting religious rights.

The peaceful procession was disrupted when eggs were allegedly thrown at devotees from a nearby building, with a viral video showing broken eggs on the pavement and the devotees continuing their procession despite the attack.

The incident involved members of the Indian community and ISKCON Toronto being targeted, with eggs thrown at devotees during the procession.