The Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Mutiny of 1946

Why in News?

The 80th anniversary of the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Mutiny commemorates a major anti-colonial uprising, one of the last significant revolts against British rule before India’s independence.

• RIN Mutiny – Revolt by Indian sailors of the Royal Indian Navy on February 18, 1946, against British rule, primarily in Mumbai (then Bombay), Maharashtra.
• Historical Background – Called the last war of independence, representing a struggle against British imperial forces.
• Sailors (ratings) of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) revolted due to poor treatment, lack of compensation, and racial discrimination.
• Causes – Ratings were deployed in World Wars and other British campaigns without special compensation.
• Recruitment issues – False promises of secure jobs, promotion, and a better life.
• Poor conditions in naval bases – Inadequate training, overcrowded establishments, shortage of staff, ill-treatment, low-quality food, restricted cultural expression, and limited medical facilities.
• Racial discrimination – Appointment of Arthur Frederick King, a racist officer, as Commander of HMIS Talwar.
• Prior Agitations – Previous small-scale agitations between 1942 and 1945 in Bombay and Odisha.
• Nationalist Influences – Influence of the Quit India Movement and the Indian National Army inspired action.
• Leadership and Organisation – Planning committee headquarters – Established at Marine Drive, Mumbai, led by Pran and Kusum Nair
• Support for the mutiny came from,
  • Members of the Ex-Services Association and the Indian People’s Theatre Association.
  • Y. K. Menon and Aruna Asaf Ali
• Key leaders – Salil Shyam, B. C. Dutt, Madan Singh, Rishi Dev Puri, and M. S. Khan
• The Central Strike Committee was formed to coordinate actions across naval bases.
• Renaming – The Royal Indian Navy was symbolically renamed the Indian National Navy, and the Royal Gate was renamed Azad Gate.
• Course of the Mutiny – Feb 1, 1946 – HMIS Talwar, Mumbai, became the centre of resistance, and
• R. K. Singh resigned symbolically, and B. C. Dutt was arrested for anti-British activities sparked widespread defiance.
• Feb 18, 1946 – Around 1,100 Royal Indian Navy ratings of HMIS Talwar went on strike under the slogan “No Food, No Work” and with other demands, namely,
  • End racial discrimination
  • Equal pay for Indian and white soldiers.
  • Improve food quality.
  • Stop abuse by superior officers.
  • Release the rating arrested for scrawling “Quit India” on HMIS Talwar.
  • Release those facing trials in the Indian National Army (INA) cases.
  • Withdraw Indian troops deployed in Indonesia.
• Open revolt included raising Congress Party flags, shouting nationalist slogans (“Quit India”, “Jai Hind”), distributing pamphlets, and symbolically taking over the base.
• Spread – Ratings contacted other naval bases across India, spreading the mutiny to Vishakhapatnam, Cochin, Kolkata, and Karachi, indicating widespread unrest nationwide.
• IAF Support – Personnel from the Royal Indian Air Force showed solidarity by organising strikes and refusing certain duties, though they did not engage in armed rebellion.
• Public and Media Support – The Indian press reported the uprising, and All India Radio broadcast the news.
• Civilians joined in protest, supporting the ratings, closing shops, and challenging British authority.
• Demands of Ratings –
• Release of R. K. Singh and other imprisoned leaders.
• Action against Arthur Frederick King.
• Better food, gratuity, and funds upon demobilisation.
• Release of INA prisoners and inquiry into public firing incidents.
• Outcome – Suppression – The British attempted to quell the revolt using arrests and military force.
• Leaders like Madan Singh and M. A. Khan faced harsh treatment after the Talwar uprising was subdued.
  • But the revolt continued in other ports like Karachi.
• Result – The revolt was called off after intervention by senior Indian political leaders, including Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• The RIN revolt was seen as an event marking the end of British rule.

References

1. TH | 1946 Royal Navy revolt
2. INDIAN CULTURE | The Naval Mutiny of 1946