Century Snapshots 8212; 1946

India's forgotten Battleship PotemkinIt was the moment that saw the massacre of over 200 sailors and civilians in the streets of Bombay, ...

India8217;s forgotten Battleship Potemkin

It was the moment that saw the massacre of over 200 sailors and civilians in the streets of Bombay, the unprecedented solidarity expressed for their cause by the people of the city. It was a moment when Indian sailors commandeered British warships and trained their guns on British shore establishments in the city. While the shots fired by the Potemkin over the Neva river in St Petersburg heralded the start of the Russian Revolution, in India the political leadership washed their hands of the rebellion. After a brief standoff, the uprising was quelled by the British.

It was January 1946, the war in both theatres was over and the uprising broke out amidst the massive demobilisation had begun in the Royal Indian Navy RIN establishments throughout the country. The spark was lit at the HMIS Talwar, the communications base in Colaba, South Mumbai. Ostensibly a protest over poor food, lodging and discriminatory treatment, it manifested the desire of Indian navalratings to emulate the Indian National Army INA. Fired by the spirit of independence, a Naval Central Strike Committee NCSC was formed by the sailors at Talwar, who established contact with personnel of other RIN ships and establishments. The brushfire soon spread throughout western India. Ships were taken over, naval establishments were barricaded by sailors and their personnel in bases in Karachi, Gujarat and Bombay raised the banner of non-cooperation against the British Raj.

From February 21 to 23, there was unprecedented demonstration of solidarity at Mumbai for the naval strikers who had, contrary to the advice of political leaders, called for a boycott. However, the NCSC which looked towards the Congress for leadership were turned down by leaders like Nehru and Patel.

Processions were taken out at various intersections in Bombay and transport came to a standstill. Banks and business houses downed shutters. Over 300,000 millhands joined the strike. The police commissioner imposed a curfew whenfiring broke out at many places. It is estimated that 217 people were killed and over 2,000 injured.

The strike was called off and the ratings surrendered after Sardar Patel8217;s intervention. Over 400 of them were court-martialled and discharged from service.

Vindication for the over 400 forgotten sailors was to come in fits and starts. In 1972, they were recognised as freedom fighters and entitled to a pension. In August 1997, the Navy renamed the mutiny as a naval uprising, officially viewing it as a part of its contribution to the freedom struggle.

8212; SANDEEP UNNITHAN