Context

The Gujarat government marked 100 years of the Pal-Dadhvav killings, calling it a massacre “bigger than the Jallianwala Bagh”.

About

About the incident:

• The Pal-Dadhvav massacre took place on March 7, 1922, in the Pal-Chitariya and Dadhvaav villages of Sabarkantha district, then part of Idar state.
• 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.
• The movement was to protest against the land revenue tax (lagaan) imposed on the peasants by the British and feudal lords.
• The Mewad Bhil Corps (MBC), a paramilitary force raised by the British that was on the lookout for Tejawat, heard of this gathering and reached the spot.
• British officer Major H.G. Sutton from Mewad Bhil Corps ordered to open fire at the innocent tribals.

Republic Day tableau

• The Pal-Dadhvav massacre was brought into focus at the Republic Day parade 2022.
• Traditional 'Ger' dance and music was performed by the tribal artistes of Poshina taluka of Sabarkantha.

About Motilal Tejawat:

• Motilal Tejawat (16 May 1896 – 14 January 1963) was born in Kolyari village, Udaipur,
• The social reform activities of Motilal Tejawat spread his popularity among the
• Along with these he also started Eki (Unity) movement.
• The Eki movement aimed at a united opposition to all types of exploitation of Bhils by the States and jagirdars.