In recent days, incidents of vandalism targeting vehicles by Kanwariyas (devotees of Lord Shiva) have been reported in certain areas during the Kanwar Yatra in Haridwar, Muzaffarnagar, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. Simultaneously, the number of Shiva devotees on the Kanwar route continues to increase.
Uttar Pradesh: Orders have been issued to close schools in several districts of Uttar Pradesh during the Kanwar Yatra 2025. Considering the continuously growing crowds and the safety of the Shiva devotees, the administration has decided to close schools from July 16th to July 23rd. This order will be effective in Meerut and Muzaffarnagar districts. Schools will reopen on July 24th.
School Holidays Announced Due to Kanwar Yatra
Meerut's DM, Dr. V.K. Singh, clarified that all educational institutions in the district will remain closed from July 16th to 23rd. He stated that July 23rd is the Shivratri of the Shravan month, after which schools will resume normal operations from July 24th. Similarly, this order has also been implemented by the DM of Muzaffarnagar.
This order will be applicable to all schools recognized by the Parishadiya, Secondary, Degree Colleges, Technical Institutes, as well as UP, CBSE, and ICSE boards. If any government or non-government school violates the order, the administration will take strict action. DIOS (District School Inspector) Rajesh Kumar informed that written orders have been sent to all schools.
Alertness Regarding Crowd Surge and Law and Order
This time, during the Kanwar Yatra, some incidents have occurred between Kanwariyas and local people in Haridwar, Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, and Meerut. Following reports of vandalism of vehicles, the police administration has become more vigilant regarding security arrangements and traffic management. In cities like Meerut and Muzaffarnagar, a large number of Shiva devotees have begun to gather on the Kanwar routes. This decision has been taken considering the safety of children in schools and traffic problems.
Public in Misery Due to Traffic Jam on Delhi-Meerut Route
The Delhi-Meerut Highway has been made one-way due to the Kanwar Yatra, leading to severe traffic congestion between Muradnagar and Meerut. As soon as the one-way traffic was implemented on Monday, a traffic jam approximately 10 kilometers long started from Manota to Morta. People are taking 2-3 hours to cover a distance of 10 minutes. Ordinary citizens, ambulances, school buses, and VIP vehicles trapped in the heat and traffic jams also faced considerable difficulty.
Umesh Sharma, a resident of Shastri Nagar, Meerut, said that the police administration was hasty in making the highway one-way. He said that the number of Kanwariyas was not that high yet, but making the highway one-way beforehand is causing unnecessary difficulties for the common people.
