VHP Canada Condemns Targeted Attack on Toronto Rath Yatra
VHP DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS RIGHTS AND PUBLIC SAFETY
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VHP Canada condemns attack on Toronto Rath Yatra.
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Eggs hurled at devotees during the religious procession.
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Group demands swift action, security assurances.
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Calls for zero tolerance on faith-based violence.
GG News Bureau
Toronto, 16th July: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Canada has strongly condemned the targeted attack on devotees during the annual Rath Yatra procession held in downtown Toronto on July 12. The incident, in which eggs were deliberately thrown at participants — including women, children, and elderly — has sparked outrage among the Hindu community and beyond.
Terming the incident a “cowardly act of violence,” VHP Canada said it was a deliberate attempt to disrupt a sacred celebration and insult a centuries-old spiritual tradition. The organisation stressed that the Rath Yatra, celebrated by ISKCON, is a peaceful and joyous religious event that promotes compassion, unity, and devotion.
“This was not a prank. It was a direct assault on religious freedom and public safety in Canada,” VHP Canada said in a statement, adding that the attack is an affront to the country’s values of multiculturalism and community harmony.
VHP Canada made four urgent demands:
- Immediate criminal investigation by the Toronto Police to identify and prosecute the perpetrators;
- Public condemnation from elected leaders including the Mayor of Toronto and provincial authorities;
- Enhanced security assurances for future religious and cultural events;
- Zero-tolerance policy for faith-based attacks targeting any community.
“No one should feel unsafe while practicing their faith in Canada,” the statement read, adding that this was not just an attack on Hindus but “on the very fabric of Canadian multicultural society.”
Reaffirming its solidarity with ISKCON and devotees who were targeted, VHP Canada called on authorities to act swiftly to ensure that such hate-driven acts do not recur. The group also emphasised that religious rights are a cornerstone of Canadian democracy and must be upheld without compromise.
The Toronto Police has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
