Rising Hinduphobia: Toronto Rath Yatra targeted with Hindu Hate, Eggs Thrown on Devotees & Rath, Act now Canada A Call for Justice and Community Safety

July 12, 2025: The Jagannath Rath Yatra, a sacred chariot festival celebrated peacefully in Toronto for over 53 years, was targeted with hate on July 12, 2025. Eggs were thrown at devotees and chariots, disrupting a spiritual and cultural Hindu Community procession.

This is a deeply disturbing act and a clear example of rising Hinduphobia in our Canadian society. The Hindu Canadian Foundation strongly condemns this hateful incident targeting Hindu Canadians. This act is a disturbing example of rising Hinduphobia in our society. This act is not just an isolated occurrence; it signifies a growing pattern of Hinduphobia in Canada. We call upon Toronto Police to take immediate and forceful action to investigate this incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

Read the Official ISKCON Statement here:

Official Statement Regarding Incident at ISKCON Toronto Rathayatra Parade. By ISKCON Communications North America

The hostility directed toward the Hindu community reflects a concerning trend of targeted aggression. Such actions seem designed to intimidate and marginalize Hindu Canadians, fostering an atmosphere of fear among a group simply striving to live peacefully and celebrate their traditions.

Understanding Hinduphobia/Hindu Hate: What It Means

Hinduphobia encompasses negative attitudes and biases against Hindu individuals/Community/Organizations and their beliefs. Many in the Hindu community have faced incidents of hostility, harassment, or discrimination. For instance, surveys indicate that about ~35% of Hindu Canadians have experienced some form of discrimination based on their faith. This issue not only affects individuals but also risks disrupting the harmonious coexistence among various cultural groups.

The recent incident serves as an urgent wake-up call. It reminds us that intolerance and hatred can take many forms, and it is everyone’s duty to confront these behaviors.

Hate Crime:

A hate crime is a criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated in whole or in part by the offender’s bias, prejudice, or hate toward an identifiable group.

An identifiable group may be distinguished by:

Race

National or ethnic origin

Colour

Religion

Sex

Age

Language

Mental or physical disability

Sexual orientation

Gender identity or expression

Or any other similar factor1

Hate Incident:

Even if an act doesn’t meet the threshold of a criminal offence, reporting hate incidents helps police:

Track patterns of hate

Prevent escalation

Support affected communities

You can report directly to Toronto Police or through Hindu Canadian Foundation, which can forward the report on your behalf.

The Impact on Community Safety:

The psychological toll of such hostility can be profound. When people feel endangered in their neighborhoods due to their cultural or religious identity, it jeopardizes the fabric of our society. According to the Hindu Canadian Foundation, community safety is critical. Everyone deserves to feel secure and valued, no matter their background.

Local leaders have a key role to play in combating such acts of violence and intimidation. Hindu Canadian foundation called upon Mayor of Toronto and councilors:

Toronto-St. Paul’s	Josh Matlow	@JoshMatlow
Toronto Centre	Chris Moise	@ChrisMoiseTO
Toronto-Danforth	Paula Fletcher	@PaulaFletcherTO

to publicly denounce this hateful incident. Elected officials must send a clear message that such behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

A Call to Action for Community Engagement

1. Reach Out to the Mayor: Community members are encouraged to express their concerns directly. Contact the Toronto Mayor’s office to call for a public condemnation of this incident. When leaders hear from us, it amplifies our fight for justice and safety.

Contact Information

Email: mayor_chow@toronto.ca

Address: Mayor City Hall, 2nd Floor100 Queen St. W. Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Telephone: 416-397-CITY (2489)

1. Call/Email to Toronto Police: The Toronto Police must act decisively. Witnesses of the incident or those involved in the yatra should contact law enforcement. Do send an email call office to Report the Hate Incident.

2. 

   Call on non-emergency number to report hate crime: 416-808-2222. Anonymous reports can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)

3. Report Incidents: You can also share incidents on the Hindu Canadian Foundation's website. The foundation will work to bring reported cases to the attention of law enforcement for necessary action.

   
   

The Path Ahead: Collective Responsibility

This disturbing act of hostility against Hindu Canadians must motivate us to drive change. It is a call for justice, not just for those affected but for our entire community. We must unite, community members, leaders, and law enforcement, to ensure our voices are amplified and justice is served.

By demanding action, fostering solidarity, and encouraging inclusive dialogues, we can effectively combat Hinduphobia. We need to create a safer, more respectful society for everyone. The Hindu Canadian Foundation remains dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignity of all Canadians. It's crucial that our call for justice is met with urgency and action.

In the spirit of unity and resilience, let’s act today. Together, we can ensure that hatred finds no refuge in our communities and that everyone feels safe and valued, regardless of their faith, within Canadian society.

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