Pal-Dadhvav Massacre: Gujarat Government marked the centenary of a massacre, calling it even more brutal than the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy of 1919. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister of Bihar declared that February 15th would be observed as “Shahid Diwas” to honor the memory of 34 freedom fighters who lost their lives at the hands of the police in Tarapur town, now a subdivision in Bihar’s Munger district, 90 years ago.

What is Pal-Dadhvav Massacre?

• The Pal-Dadhvav massacre took place on 7th March, 1922, in the Pal-Chitariya and Dadhvaav villages of Sabarkantha district, then part of Idar state (Now Gujrat).
• The day was Amalki Ekadashi, which falls just before Holi, a major festival for tribals.
• Villagers from Pal, Dadhvav, and Chitariya had gathered on the banks of river Heir as part of the ‘Eki movement’, led by one Motilal Tejawat.
• Tejawat, who belonged to Koliyari village in the Mewad region of Rajasthan, had also mobilised Bhils from Kotda Chhavni, Sirohi, and Danta to participate.
• The impact of the protest was felt in Vijaynagar, Dadhvaav, Poshina and Khedbrahma, which are now talukas of Sabarkantha; the Aravalli districts, Banaskantha and Danta of Banaskantha district; and Kotda Chhavni, Dungarpur, Chittor, Sirohi, Banswada and Udaipur of Rajasthan, all of which were then princely states.
• The movement was to protest against the land revenue tax (lagaan) imposed on the peasants by the British and feudal lords.
• The British Paramilitary force was on hunt for Tejawat.
• It heard of this gathering and reached the spot. Nearly 200 bhils under the leadership of Tejawat lifted their bows and arrows. But, the Britishers opened fire on them. Nearly 1,000 tribals (Bhils) fell to bullets.
• While the British claimed some 22 people were killed, the Bhils believe 1,200-1,500 of them died.

Who was Motilal Tejawat?

• Tejawat was born into a merchant (Baniya) family in the adivasi-dominated Koliyari village.
• He worked for a landlord for eight years, where he witnessed firsthand the exploitation of tribals.
• Landlords would go to extreme lengths, even threatening to beat them with shoes if they couldn’t pay their taxes.
• Outraged by the injustices he witnessed, Tejawat decided to quit his job in 1920.
• After leaving his job, he dedicated himself to social work and reform to bring about positive change in the lives of the tribal people.
• The Pal-Dadhvav massacre, a tragic event, is still remembered by local tribals.
• They recount the incident through songs sung at various occasions like weddings and fairs.
• One such song, titled ‘Hansu dukhi, duniya dukhi,’ captures the sorrow and suffering experienced by the tribals due to the atrocities they faced.

Read Also: Rowlatt Act & Jallianwala Bagh Massacre