India on Monday described as “regrettable” reports of eggs allegedly thrown at devotees during a Rath Yatra procession in Canada’s Toronto.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that it had taken up the matter with Canadian authorities.

This came after a woman participating in the procession noticed eggs allegedly being thrown at them from a nearby building and posted about it on social media, The Indian Express reported. A video posted by her was widely shared on social media.

“We have seen reports regarding disruption created by mischievous elements during the Rath Yatra procession in Toronto,” ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.

Jaiswal said that the “despicable acts” were regrettable and against the spirit of the festival, which seeks to promote unity, inclusivity and social harmony. “We have strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities to hold the perpetrators of the act accountable,” he added.

“We hope the Canadian government will take necessary action to protect the religious rights of people,” the external affairs ministry said.

The alleged incident took place at a procession taken out during the Chariot Fest Ratha Yatra organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness in Toronto between July 11 and July 13, India Today reported.

The celebration brings the idols of the Hindu deities Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra “out from the temple and onto the streets, blessing everyone with their merciful glances”, according to ISKON’s website.

Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed concern about eggs being thrown at the event and said that the incident had caused deep anguish to the residents of the state.

“Such incidents not only grievously hurt the sentiments of Lord Jagannatha’s devotees worldwide, but also cause deep anguish to the people of Odisha, for whom this festival holds profound emotional and cultural significance,” the Biju Janata Dal leader said on X.

Patnaik urged the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Odisha to take the matter seriously and called on the external affairs ministry to “register a strong protest with the Canadian authorities” about the incident.

During the Rath Yatra in Odisha, the idols of Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath are carried in chariots from the Jagannath temple to the Gundicha temple 2.6 kms away, where they stay for nine days. This year, the festival began on June 27 and concluded on July 5.