India has issued a strong condemnation following the disruption of the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto, calling the incident a “despicable act” and urging Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that such actions undermine the values of unity and social harmony that the Hindu festival represents.

In a statement released by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the Indian government confirmed that the issue has been raised directly with Canadian officials. “We have seen reports regarding disruption created by mischievous elements during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto. Such despicable acts are regrettable and are against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity, and social harmony,” Jaiswal said.

The MEA further called on Canada to uphold its responsibility in safeguarding religious freedoms. “We have strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators of the act accountable. We hope the Canadian Government will take necessary action to protect the religious rights of people,” the statement added.

The disruption occurred during the annual Hindu festival procession, where individuals reportedly attempted to interfere with the peaceful religious gathering. The event is a significant cultural celebration for the Indian diaspora in Canada.

This incident comes amid growing concerns from New Delhi over a series of disruptions targeting Indian-origin religious events in Canada. India has consistently urged Ottawa to take concrete measures to ensure the safety and security of its diaspora and protect their rights to practice religion without fear or interference.