The schools and colleges in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh bordering with Delhi will remain closed from Tuesday till August 12 to ensure students safety and to help manage traffic during the “Kanwar Yatra” after an unsavoury incident in Lucknow on Monday morning in which a school van carrying minors to schools were allegedly attacked by some six “Kanwariyas” in three motorbikes after a minor collision.
Police said the incident took place at Charak Crossing in the Chowk area in Lucknow when the van suddenly braked, causing one of the kanwariyas’ motorcycles to ram into it from behind. Enraged, the kanwariyas allegedly punched the rear windshield and side mirror of the school van with their hands, damaging both, before fleeing the scene.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Shubham Kumar said police have identified the registration numbers of the three motorcycles through CCTV footage and videos of the incident, and a case would be registered and legal action taken against those found responsible.
Concerned over the safety of the students, the Ghaziabad District Inspector of Schools issued an order on Monday confirming that the colleges and technical institutes would also remain closed, except for examinations that were scheduled in advance.
“In compliance with the directions issued by the District Magistrate, Ghaziabad, and with the safety of students in mind, all schools (from Nursery/Class 1 to Class 12) operating under the Basic Education Board, Secondary Education Board, CBSE, ICSE, other affiliated boards, and Madrasa Board shall remain closed from 04-08-2026 to 12-08-2026,” the District Inspector of the Schools said in a statement.
“Similarly, all colleges, universities, and technical institutions operating in the district (government and private) shall also remain closed from 04-08-2026 to 12-08-2026. However, pre-scheduled examinations for any course or subject will continue as planned. Strict compliance with this order shall be ensured,” the order added.
Recently, the Delhi police had also issued an advisory for the commuters during the pilgrimage which takes place in the holy month of Shravan. Authorities have advised people to check traffic updates and plan their journeys in advance to avoid getting stuck in long traffic snarls, especially during peak movement of pilgrims.
“In view of the Kanwar Yatra from 30.07.2026 to 11.08.2026, traffic movement is likely to be affected on several routes across the Western Range of Delhi due to the movement of Kanwariyas and Kanwar Camps. Commuters are advised to plan journeys in advance, avoid affected stretches, use alternate routes and follow the directions of traffic personnel,” the Delhi Police wrote in a social media post.
In Lucknow refuting the allegations that the Kanwariyas also pelted stones on the school van carrying minors, Mr Kumar said the attackers were believed to be kanwariyas based on their attire and the fact that they were carrying holy water containers typically used during the Kanwar Yatra.
Station House Officer, Chowk police station, Nagesh Upadhyay said minor students were inside the van at the time of the incident, but none of them suffered any injuries.
A purported video widely shared on social media shows a woman who claimed she witnessed the incident. In the video, she alleged that a group deliberately attacked the vehicle and used abusive language before fleeing.
According to police, they received information about the incident on Monday morning, following which a team was immediately dispatched to the spot. A preliminary inquiry found that the school van had a minor collision with one of the three motorcycles. Upadhyay said the van driver had applied the brakes because of the rain, following which one of the motorcycles rammed into the rear of the vehicle.
The collision triggered a heated exchange between the van driver and the riders. During the argument, some of the kanwariyas allegedly struck the van with force, damaging its side mirror and rear-view mirror. Police said officers stationed a short distance from the crossing rushed to the spot after noticing the commotion but the riders had fled by then. Before leaving, they allegedly threatened the van driver.
The UP chief minister Yagi Adityanath earlier had issued an appeal to the Kanwariyas t maintain discipline and decorum during the Kanwar Yatra. He said there should be no ruckus over small matters, as opponents would try to take advantage of such incidents. He said, “I would like to humbly appeal to all Kanwar associations to remember that we are all descendants of Shri Ram, followers of Shri Krishna and devotees of Bhole Shankar. We will all keep this in mind. Ram’s dignity, Krishna’s playfulness and Shankar’s harmony and liveliness always inspire us to move forward.”
He had also said patience and discipline should be greatest assets in life. “There shouldn’t be any uproar over small matters. If there is any uproar or indiscipline, our opponents will note such scenes and then, as before, will try to influence the Kanwar Yatra by exerting pressure in some way or another. Remember, the government is providing every possible support for the Kanwar Yatra, ensuring their safety, convenience, and realizing their devotion. This is the double-engine government, which respects faith and showers flowers, but we too must understand decorum.”