Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

FREEDOMMOVEMENT

NAVALMUTINY - 1946 There was an explosive situation in India in 1946 after the end of the war. There was a strike wave which intensified with the par- ticipation of hundreds of thousands of non- industrial workers like the middle-class employees of banks, post and telegraph workers and other government employees. In July, the railwaymen were about to go on an all-India strike.

Labour Government

R.I.N. MUTINY LEADERS TO BE TRIED -

Meanwhile in Britain there was a change of government with the Labour Party win- ning the General Election held in July 1945. Clement Attlee replaced Winston Churchill as Prime Minister. The new Government made a serious attempt to end the political deadlock in India. The King Emperor announced in his speech from the throne ‘ that his government are de- termined to do their utmost to promote in conjunction with the leaders of Indian opin- ion the early realisation of full self-govern- ment in India.' The first step in this direc- tion was the announcement, on August 21, 1945 that elections to the various Indian legislatures would be held and that the Viceroy, Lord Wavell, would proceed to London for consultations. Wavell left for London on August 24 and returned on September 16. Three days later he made an announcement in which he said: ‘It is the intention of His Majesty's Government to convene as soon as possible a constitution-making body, and as a pre- liminary step they have authorised me to undertake, immediately after the elections, discussions with representatives of the Leg- islative Assemblies in the provinces, to ascer- tain whether the proposals contained in the 1942 declaration are acceptable or whether some alternative modified scheme is prefer- able. Discussions will also be undertaken with the representatives of the Indian States with a view to ascertaining in what way they can best take their part in the constitution-making body.... During these preparatory stages the Gov- ernment of India must be carried on, and urgent economic and social problems must be dealt with. Furthermore India has to play her full part in working out the new World Order. His Majesty's Government has therefore authorised me, as soon as the results of the provincial elections are published, to take steps to bring into being an Executive Council which will have the support of the main Indian parties.’ On the same day Prime Minister Attlee broadcast an appeal to the Indians to make a united effort to evolve a constitution which would be accepted as fair by all parties and interests in India.

No collective punishment

National Herald, 26, Feb 1946

The revolt of the naval ratings in India was of special significance in the context of the existing circumstances. It was for the first time after 1857 that a section of the Defence forces openly rebelled against the British on a political issue. Demands of the Talwar strikers: at a meeting of the strikers of the HMIS, Talwar, one of their leaders, presenting the demands, stated, "When we started the strike, we never thought that we would get such enthusiastic support from all our fellow ratings. We have received news that practically all the ratings of the Royal Indian Navy have joined in our struggle. We are all proud of our unity. I have just been told that when you were coming here in a procession some of you behaved very badly. I do not blame you for that. I know how we have suffered insults and humiliations. I know today it is a bit difficult for us to control our feelings. But we must not forget that our fight is a non-violent one...These are the demands we propose to place before the authorities today. 1. Release all political prisoners including those of the INA. 2. Take action against Commander King, C.O. of the Talwar for using insulting language against the ratings. 3. Speedy demobilisation and provision for resettlement in peace-time employ- ment. 4. Same scale of pay, allowances etc as those of Royal Navy ratings. 7. No return of clothing kit at the time of release and 8. Withdrawal of Indian troops from Indo- nesia. A call to the people: The central strike committee of the strikers in the Indian Navy makes this earnest appeal to the leaders of the political parties in India and the Indian people. We have all of us been in the Indian Navy for several years. During this time we have been undergoing untold hardships, low pay, 5. 6. Access to NAAFI Canteens. Better food.

There were a number of mutinies in the armed forces. In early 1946, there were strikes by pilots and other Air Force personnel in Karachi, Bombay, Calcutta and several other air bases in the country. There was a strike by the Indian Signal Corps at Jabalpur. Even the police and the bureaucracy had begun to reveal nationalist leanings. The gravest incident was the mutiny of the ratings of the Royal Indian Navy. It began with a mutiny by the ratings on the HMIS Talwar Signal Training Ship in Bombay on 18th February 1946 as an expression of anger against intolerable service conditions and the racial discrimination of their British officers. Within 48 hours, it affected a large part of the navy in Bombay, Calcutta, Karachi and other places. The rebels demanded the release of the INA soldiers and the withdrawal of Indian troops from Indonesia. They took possession of some of the ships, mounted the guns and prepared to open fire on the military guards. The government threatened with overwhelm- ing forces at its disposal even if it meant the destruction of the navy. Troops were sent to Bombay where there were fierce clashes be- tween the British army and the mutineers. About 300 persons were killed and about 1500 injured during 21-23 February. It was largely due to the efforts of Vallabhbhai Patel that on 23rd February, the ratings surrendered.