Why in the news?: February 18 marks the 80th anniversary of the Royal Indian Navy’s (RIN) revolt of 1946

  • The Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Mutiny started at HMIS Talwar in Bombay in 1946.
  • It was a five-day armed uprising.

Background

  • Ratings (Indian sailors) went on strike over bad food, poor living conditions, racial discrimination and abusive treatment by British officers.
  • The appointment of overtly racist officers, including Arthur Frederick King at HMIS Talwar, further intensified resentment among the sailors.
  • C. Dutt was arrested after painting “Quit India“ on the walls of Talwar.
  • Another major factor behind revolt – Demand to release all prisoners detained in connection with the INA trials, including Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The Revolt

  • Within days, the revolt spread to 78 ships and 20 shore establishments, involving around 20,000 sailors across Bombay, Karachi, Calcutta, Madras and other ports.
  • The naval ratings organized a procession in the city, carrying a portrait of Subhas Chandra Bose.
  • The sailors formed the Naval Central Strike Committee (NCSC), led by M.S. Khan and Madan Singh, and symbolically hoisted the Congress, Muslim League and Communist flags together on their ships.

Political Impact

  • Leaders like Sardar Vallabhai Patel and M.A Jinnah urged the sailors to surrender.
  • The Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League did not support the armed revolt. Communist Party supported the revolt.
  • The British used force to suppress the revolt, resulting in over 200 deaths.
  • The ratings surrendered on February 23, 1946.

Amid the deepening communal tensions of the time, the RIN Revolt of 1946 stood out as a rare and powerful moment of Hindu–Muslim unity.

 

Source: The Hindu