Royal Indian Navy Mutiny 1946 (Reference and Guide for All)

Rin Mutiny: 1946 (Reference and Guide for All)

BISWANATH BOSE

NORTHERN BOOK CENTRE\ NEW DELHI

ISBN 81-85119-30-9 The publication of this book has been financially supponCd by the Indian Council of Historical Research, and the responsibility for t.'iCTacts stated, opinions expressed or conclusions'reachedis entirely that ofthe author and the Indian Council of Historical Research accepts no responsibility for them.

o 1988, NORTHERN BOOK. CENTRE, NEW DELHI No part of this publication can be reproduced inany-forin or by any means without the prior written permission of the publishers. Price : Rs 205.00 Published by Northern Book Centre, 4221/1, Ansari Road, Darya Ganj, New Delhi-l 10 002 Photocomposed by S.P. Electronics, Darya Ganj and Printed at M/s. Swatantra Bharat Press, 423, Esplanade Road, Delhi-llOOO6.

Why this name? THE TITLE ~RIN Mutiny 1946' is surely the most befitting one as it signifieS" clearly that the book is on the subject ROYAL INDIAN NAVAL MUTINY 1946 although the christening of the book was not liked by. some politically conscious persons whom-!he Author failed to oblige. Among many reasons, the i~portant ones are the following. : (i)

The Defence Department maintained that the 'Mutiny' was not, political movement for achieving th'e freedom of the country and for that matter the conduct of the Naval Ratings who mutinied was termed as 'Flagrant Misconduct~ Now, of course, they have changed . their decision on public pressure.

(ii)

The legitimate dues of the Ratings were.forfeited.

(iii)

All service credits due to them were also

(iv)

The then British Empire complimented the Ratings by calling them 'Mutineers~ and the Ruling Party (Congress) seconded it. The. latter have changed their mind under compulsion.

(v)

Last but not the least, the le(t forces in the country, more particularly .the Communists though supported the cause and effect ·of the 'Mutiny' and helped· and actively co-ordinated to end the British Rule in India in the very beginning of the Mutiny, seemed indifferent later on.

withdr~wn.

In all fairness, it was, therefore, felt that the title of the book be rFtained in its present form. The author apologizes to those who demurred to its naming as it is, but this could not be helped. Now, the story is beset here for the readers to judge its merit. BISWANATH DoSE

Forewor4

.HAVING GONE through the manuscript, I find the story of RIN revolt of the year 1946, as exhiiarating as the sage ofthe Indian National Army under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The title of the book may be justifisble,.as the navy then was the Royal Indian Navy under the British. But, in fact, it was a revolutionary struggle by patriotic naval personnel who were inspired by the glorious example of the INA. What the INA did on the Burmese front, the Royal Indian Navy did at Bombay and other places in the name of NetajL The British historians have always been reluctant to acknowledge the national efforts for independence. They called the first war of independence of the year 1857 as sepoy mutiny. ·They branded the revolutionary actions of the Ghadar Party during the First World War as sedition by some extremists. Siplilarly, the British Broadcasting Corporation (B.a.C.) rightly dubbed by Netaji as Bluff and Bluster Corporation-or in Hindi - Behuda Bakwas Corporation (~~4'fq7l.:a"')used to describe the fight by the INA as fight by the Japanese. Kohima had been captured by the INA on its own. But the Britishers would have the world believe that it was captured by the Japanese forces. They even described Netaji as a traitor. In fact, Netaji has been one of the three greatest revolutionaries of the century, namely V.I. Lenin, Mao-Tse-Tung (Mao Zedong) and he himself. What a distortion of history which is always iridulge.d in by conquerors and the many losing struggle by others is always termed rebellion. Asimilar atiempt by the Britishers branding the 1946 revolution by the Indian Navy is not going to convince the world historians-muc)lless Indians. The revolutionaries had taken possession of 80 ships out of 100 stationed at the Bombay Port and had hoisted national flags on them with pictures of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Every patriotic Indian will appreciate the effort of the autJ:tor in portraying the true picture of that revolution. He deserves encomiums for that. He has given all the requisite particulars to make it a historical narration. The revolt was not confined to Bombay only, but was an all India affair at different ports in the country.

The glorious example of the INA inspired not only tlie Indian Navy, but also the Indian Army. It is no secret that on the eve of the·trial of INA Officers, the British Officers had conducted a secret ballot of army personnel and about 80 per cent or more had voted against those trials. . The IN A had shaken the loyalty of the Indian Ariny and the Indian Navy with the result that British imperialists were convinced that they could no mor~ rule overIndia. The RIN revolt of 1946 was a major factor in hastening the process of independence. Otherwise, they might have been required to face great disaster like the other imperiali&t.powers such as France, Portugal, Holland and Italy had to face. The British being a little progressive among all other imperialists decided to liquidate their empire by quitting the most precious jewel of the British Empire, namely India, while other imperialists .had to eat the humble pie at the hands of their colonial sUbjects. The British proved wiser than die-hard imperialists and they hastened to pass the Indian Independence Act 1946, ultimately leading to complete independence. If the national leaders had not intervened in the naval revolt, It might have been a gr.eater struggle for freedom on a national scale, much larger than the struggle of 1857, as now th~re would have been no elements to side with the Britishers. A major catastrophe was avoided due to intervention by national leaders and the hastening of independence by the Britishers. The British empire was. strong enough to face any number of civil disobedience or satyagraha movements. But when they saw the very basis of their empire crumbling, namely the loyalty of the defence forces-they thought that discretion to quit was the 'better part of valour. The author .needs no introducti.on to the generations that went through the ordeals of the Quit our brave freedom fighters, India movement. But the glorious history. namely RIN revolutionaries must be known to succeeding generations and from this point of view, the book is of historical importance. The author's name was a household name in those days who hoisted the national flag with Netaji's picture on H.M.I.S. Talwar as one of,the foremost leaders ofthe RIN . revolt or mutiny as some may choose to call it. Although ihe' Central and some other Provincial Governments \ made efforts to rehabilitate the IN A personnel, yet nothing was done to rehabilitate RIN patriots, who now have been recognised as freedom fighters. But that is a small consolation in view of the fact that our Governments failed to undo the injustice done to them. In the matter of rehabilitatins INA personnel, the then Congress Ministry of the former Central Provinces and Berar (now Madhya Pradesh) led by Pt. Rilvi Shankar Shukla and Pt. Dwarka Prasad Mishra was the foremost in the country inasmuch as about four hundred INA men were absorbed in the Home Guards and many others were absorbed in the Police, Medical and Agriculture Departments. In our State there was no problem of rehabilitating RIN patriots. But other Governments left them to their own fate to be forgotten after a generation. This is a story written by a person who has been a victim of such neglect not only by the government, but by the

'0'

society in general. Not only this, but also their legal dues from the Government were forfeited. . I do ·,hope that the book will be of interest to the readers in general and students of history in particular. The author deserves ,congratulations on re~ealing a'glorious facet ofour freedom movement. Jai Hind!

P.K. TARE Chief Justice (Retd) M.P. High Court Chairman, M.P. Law Commission Freedom Fighter.

2 August, 1984 Jai Hind Niwas.

Pachpedhi.,

.

JABALPUR (M.P.) 482 001

Acknowledgements

My SINCERE.thanks to all those who assisted me in writing and compiling this book directly or even indirectly. I apologize to those whose names might have been dropped by mistake in a slip-shod way and surely unintentionally. I am grateful to those who have readily consented to publish portions where the context seemed to warqmt. I am deeply moved by the efforts of Dr O.P. Nagpal, a Professor in lndore Christian College, Department of Political Science, who was very much after my 'Jail Diary' and did everything possible to see that all hidden facts about "RIN Mutiny" are disclosed to the intellectuals and general public for them to know better the background of India's attaining full and complete Independence. Dr N agpal had also written a piece on the topic of RIN Mutiny published in the Independence Number of "Dharmayug" a Hindi Weekly in 1970 titled "Bharat Mein British Raj Par Antim Nirnayak Prahar-Nou Sainik Kranti"greatly acknowledged by readers. I too could not ignore him. It is to that gesture of orderliness and tenderness that I owe the survival of so many early records. Even, so many interesting records and pieces disappeared unnoticeably. Reading them in turn reminded me of many things and the past events which I could not recapitulate otherwise. I have tried to remedy some patches with notes depicted from foreign and Indian Newspapers, quite frankly speaking. I gathered whatever pieces of news I could see lying about in an accumulation unsystematically, and arranged them chronologically and datewise. I have tried to answer the volleys of questions from the commoners as well as the intellectuals, which' were put all these years, and my narration, I believe, will satisfy 'all those who might have similar questions to ask. It will not be out of place to mention the good names of A.B. Roy of National Library (Reprography Section), India Office Library & Records, in London, British Museum Newspaper Library, Sisir K. Bose of Netaji Research Bureau and a fleet of mutual friends whose help was ready-made and spontaneous. Let me also express my profund gratitude to my learned friend Girija K. Mookerjee, Chairman, Centre for American & West European Studies, School of International Studies; Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 1, India for the enormous trouble he took to go through the manuscript and for the valuable advice and improvement effected by him as also for his agreeing to send a most heartening Prefatory Note (Preface) which he had kindly promised to write for the book, but, to my utter dismay, he passed away in U.S.A. very accidentally.

xii

He wrote : "I hope you will do everything possible to make it a very interesting book RIN Mutiny hastened our Independence by many years". I boldly confess that quite some important and noteworthy materials could not be made handy to the readers as they were not available. readily. However, these may be included in the next or a revised edition no sooner the papers and documents are within my reach and easily accessible and the situation demanded as such. My heartfelt gratitude remains with the ICHR officers and the publishers and printers whose names have to be mentioned in the appropriate place as bound by law. Considerable labour was undertaken by New Dawn Studio, Clacutta 6, India in touching up the very old and faded away photographs and for supplYIng the prints therefrom. Two of my shorthand students who held Bachelor Degree in Commerce namely Debasish Ghosh and Sushen Basak had also assisted me by taking down notes in shorthand and typing out the additional or revised pages as and when the occasion demanded when the book was almost in its final shape. Last but not the least a mention may be made of Dr G. Adhikari and Sri Chinmohan Sehanabis of the CPI for lending the two books on the subject published by PPH, Delhi, and one by B.C Dutt, for my study and reference. I am grateful to the students of Karl Marx University, Leipzig in German Democratic Republic for their sending me photostat copies of the newspaper clippings as also for its English translation made by Mrs U. Mitra, Secretary, and Mr Heiko Bels, Director of Max Muller Bhavan at Clacutta on my request. AUTHOR

Words of Appreciation (A Brief Summary)

THE EDITOR, Paschim Banga Patrika (Bengali Daily) Calcutta (now defunct) thanked the Author in his, letter for an outstanding piece and' published the same 'Bharatiya Nou Bidroha' in its issue SunsJaY, 14th Kartick, 1355 B.C. (Bengali Era) (1948).

"BIDROHINA81i<'(in Bengali) has been written in a way whiCh gives the readers immense pleasure. The allusion of a mutinied sailor's life resembling the author's own character is interesting reading and will entice the readers for a second time reading. I was greatly amused. I pray to Almighty for prolific author's long and peaceful life and that I may be able to see him rising all ordinary heights and odds or obstacles. Bhatanagar, 24 Parganas (West Bengal) 2nd' June, 1949

Wellwisher "Ranga Mashima" (Aunty) (Mother's sister) Sudharani Sarkar

WE SHALL be pleased to know if you are interested to become a member of our Association. Shortly we are arranging to publish the life sketch of all martyrs and political sufferers in our Weekly. We require photographs and biographies from all concerned. The Paschim BangaPatrika may not give us your biography as mentioned by you. We shall be very grateful if you can spare a copy of your biography for us. In case you know of some martyrs and if they are your friends please also send their biographies fQr publication. Kindly accept our heartiest greetings and regards. Yours truly, Sdi - Sadananda Sanyal

Dated. 6th October 1948

Publicity Manager West Bengal Political Sufferers Asscn 143, Lansdown Road, Calcutta 26

I am sure, you have already contacted Dr Sisir K. Bose, Executive Director, Netaji ~esearch' Bureau, to see if he can be of any help. Wishing you all the best, Yours sincerely, Sdi - S.A. Ayer (Deed.) Chairman, Netaji Research Bureau (Formerly of the Provisional Govt.,Azad Hind)

To Mr Biswanath Bose Calcutta

CONTENTS Page

Why this name Foreword Acknowledgements Words of Appreciation Introduction

v vii xl

xiii xix

CHAPTER I I. The History of Rin Mutiny: 1946Last Phase of Freedom Struggle 11. "The Rin Strike" by a Group of Victimised Ratings Ill. The Aftermath IV. Excerpts of Correspondence from Naval Authorities V. Bold Headlines in Press (Foreign and Indian) on Rin Mutiny: 1946 VI. Press Reports- Indian & Foreign VII. U.K. Parliamentary Debate from Hansards VIII. Royal Indian Navy Central Strike Committee IX. Charter of Demands CHAPTER 2 Enquiry Commission

1 76 98 102 107 126 167 171 183

...

194

CHAPTER 3 I. Views of National Leaders and General Masses 11. Letters Exchanged

203 232

CHAPTER 4 Partisan Attitude of the Congress

237

The Author

245

Index

251

Introduction MUTINY!

It sounds very strange in the Defence Setvices and more so in the Senior Service (Navy). British Admiralty most timely reacted. They exalted the mutinied ratings on one hand and threatened to crush them on the other. To the mutineers, however, their words. sounded inconsistent, and they paid no heed to the advice of their one-time masters. India was on the threshold of a new age. Her people became impatient after long decades of slavery. Their outburst was to attain freedom. They were deeply moved by the achievements of 'Netaji' and his men, who taught the people the real meaning of freedom. And they started giving the blood,for freedom! There was a great row already in the country. The years 1945 and 1946 are earmarked in the History of our freedom struggle-witne~sed a new epoch of Indian ser~icemen fighting. shoulder to shoulder for freedom. In 1944-45 we saw the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) in action and in 1946 'Indian National Navy' (Royal Indian Navy), (Azad Hind Nous·ena) made its debut in action, which struck the very root of the British administration in India. Many common features were still alive in the two National Forces. B,ut the three years, were different in the tacit tech;n.iques and the effectiveness. IN A had many facets which drew all the forces near and supported its dynamic causes within which the objects remained crystal clear. The Nation stood as one entity to attain its object! The purposeful and bold steps of the Indian Sailors then brought them closer to all freedom-loving people of the world today, and thus they are endeared to all. ' Surely, the power which suddenly came into· the hands of our political leaders might have given rise to the corruption so long as they were in the pursuit for more powers and narrow self-gains. Even the British Viceroy did not anticipate such a quick diplomatic success of dividing the country which stood for long age-old tradition and cultur~ and installing a 'Caretaker Government' during the interim period of power transfer. His intentions and motivated move became clearer from his talks and utterances. Consequently, there may be cases of personal triumphs for a few, but the people and the history will not pardon them. . A profile of the mutiny can be seen by going through the general trend prevailing then, following Nationalist press reports, public sacrifices, students and workers' agitation, diplcmatic move by the British Intelligence, mutineers faith in the National Leaders, Anti-British DemonsTrations by Indian Artilleries, Royal Indian Air Force as also the Armed

Police Force, reactions in Foreign Countries, Moscow Radio broadcast, broadcast and all alike. British move was successful inasmuch as they could hoodwink and disband the mutinied sailors who together formed Indian National Navy in parallel to ,the Indian National Army, whose Supreme Commander was Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. In this 80called power transfer deal, many patriots were also deceived as they could not dream of any separation, far less the partitioning of the country! They, thus won over our political leaders. Another major setback presumably was the 'Gandhian Theory' then in practice. A setback because his 'Non-violence' did more harm than good to the people in general and the Nation at large. This was a misfit. Britishers realised it and preached it otherwise openly to the enslaved Indians. This vias a time when all neighbouring countries believed in the 'Nation-atArms' theory and practice. They went all out in raising their defence production and defence !output. Even we saw the massive forces looming large for encroachments. Our national policy failed totally and miserably. In that we not only were behind time but also behind the trend. Enemies gained! Britishers were sane peop~t:. Diplomats! They did not send ',their Naval Fleet and Bomber Aircrafts or Infantries to destroy this newly formed Indian National Navy; Of course, they called it still the Royal Indian Navy, though they continued extending offers and renewed offers one after another as if playing the'trump cards for our leaders to accept and swallow them, at least one such. Just imagine, the sailors, most of them in their teens, could realise the move of the British House of Commons, but alas the leaders not. The shrewd British politicians peI1etrated thrDugh the nerves of their Indian counterparts and promised to send the Cabinet Mission (known as Cripps Mission) to discuss the Power Transfer. We know the results! By virtue of their age, what other alternative the' Mutinied Sailors could have but to depend on the policies and advices of our National Leaders, uncommitted or unaffiliated politically though. Their courageous ~md timely action shook. all quarters of the World~ made all politicians meet and discuss the situation and changed the atmosphere of maltreatment. and repression. Do we can these brave sailors and patriots, who mutinied against the Britishers~ as 'dismissed ratings for flagrant misconduct' ? DidaH the top political leaders like Patel, NehJ:>U, Azad, Asaf Ali Couple, Jinnah, Liaquat. Ali Khan, Massani, Ranga Ruikar; Kamaraja NadaJ;', Dange, Ranadive-, Khare and many many others .p~ticipate in the talks of rights and wrongs? What did they say and discuss about? Why is the true history of our freedom's struggle still incomplete and difficult to write? All these and further questions will find the clear and correct answers in this book, written after a thorough research and obtaining most valuable materials from so many friendly countries. The author believes that the readers will find it near a reference book. Any B.B~C.

suggestion or criticism by the readers will be welcome. Let the choice be theirs.

"The RIN episode has opened an altogether new chapter in the history of the Armed Forces of India'~ Jai Hind!

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU

.

Fig. \-Author's RIN identity card issued in 1943.

CHAPTER 1

I. The History of RIN Mutiny: 1946Last Phase of Freedom Struggle IT SEEMS obvious that the mutiny which took place as far back as 1857 is the doyen of all mutinies held in India subsequently. There have been, record shows, many short-lived mutinies of the British Air Force and Navy· comprising Indian flying and sailing personnel. We know the sepoy mutiny in 1857 which spread all over India with particular emphasis to Meerut ·in U.P. and Barrackpur in West Bengal and all Indians, particularly those branded revolutionists drew inspirations from the soldiers' SUdden upsurge against the foreign yoke. Consequently, there have been clandestine cell of underground activities all over the place from North to South pole and 'Anusilan Samity' as also the 'Jugantar Party' broke through and spread this fragrance among the burning patriots more specially the youths and students. Britishers chased them, but they were growing from strength to strength and spread over in several branches. They broke the well guarded British armouries at Chittagong and took the arms and ammunitions to fight against the British Rule then.

Formation of INA

Rash Behari Bose, however, became a naturalised Japanese citizen in 1923, learnt Japanese, married a Japanese girl (daughter of a restaurant owner), joined the "Indian Independence League" in 1924 and "Pan Asian League" in 1926 and organised IN A in 1942, composed of 50,000 officers and soldiers who bad surrendered to the Japanese in Singapore, In Oct. 1943 he handed over tlie leadership of the League and the INA to Subhas Cha~dra Bose. Subhas proclaimed the Provisional Govt. of Free India in October 1943 .and had won recognition from as many as eight sovereign States. At one point of time, we saw Rash Behari Bose's "Indian Independence League" in Japan fully dedicated to the same cause, i.e. Independence for· India. This unit led by Bose was handed over to Netaji as its Supremt.

2

RIN MUTINY: 1946

Commander which transformed to "Indian National Army" in course of time. Th.ere has been a lot of misunderstanding and confusion among the Indian masses for no fault of Netaji but for the camouflaging and wrong propaganda vacillated through press, radios and similar other mass media of the opponents. The clever British people propagated that Netaji was instigating foreign powers like Japan and Germany to take over the country's helms of administration, which was deliberately wrong both in letters and spirit. Jalianwalla Bagh massacre in Amritsar (Punjab) by the British with the help of their agents was another proof of repression committed on the unarmed civilians. In this mass uprising many noble persons laid their lives as martyrs. To suppress their demand the British rulers did not even spare the women and children, the kiths and kins of the martyrs from mass killings. After that there have been many stray cases of mass agitation in India. The people were becoming more conscious politically and did not stop. Beilgal, as we all know, was the centre and pivot or Headquarters of the revol.:ltionaries. The ideas formed in ~he minds of the Indian leaders, whl.ch, the previous day, was thought of in Bengal, took complete shapes lat~r in their planning the blue-prints in Bengal for launching the freedom struggle all over the country. In this fight quite a few renowned foreigners also extended their helping hands and supported the mass movements to break the shackles of slavery. In some places, however, the rulers cowed down the flow of mass agitation, temporarily though. . . Then, the news of Subhas Chandra Bose's disappearance from his CalCutta residence where he was indisposed while leading a prisoner's life .shook the entire British administration,and almost every Indian became ..• more and more interested in the affairs. and· activities of this great and noble son of Bengal. It will not be proper to say that Bengalese did not give him adequate support as the rest of India did. Netaji was, and stilt is, in the heart of all Indians, including those who. opposed him. Netaji's stop over at Kabul was another episode which has been described by his one time associate Bhagat Ram Talwar in his book and writings; Netaji and his activities already became a legend, but we witnessed the dawn and the sunrise after a short spell of time. The writer remembers his seeing the press reports with the banner headlines "Subhash Chandra's Radio Btoadcastto the Nation from Berlin". The readers will now realise how and in what esteem the Indiaps held Netaji and worked for the success·of his Mission because it would not have been possible for Netaji to reach Geririany more particularly during the Nazi regime without the support of his own countrymen. The two confidants-Sisir K. Bose (his nephew ·and now the Executive Director Of Netaji Research Bureau) and Shantimoy Ganguly (of Bengal Volunteers) accompanied him from

THE HISTORY OF RIN MUTINY: 1946

3

one place to another in private motor cabs and carried the news and messages of Netaji for the Indian people. The INA was formed. The wirter kept a vigil on the news of Netaji and his future activities though he was in his teens even after his joining the Navy (which has been described in this book in another chapter entitled "The Author'). He was taken amiss by his colleagues anticipating that he might have come frem the same clan of Boses (which means a next of kin or having a close relationship) though partly ·they were right in a wider sense; . 'Memoir' Besides, the other people with whom he made close acquaintance while in the RIN also thought in the same line till the matter. was clarified by the writer himself. However, he was held in high esteem by all undeservedly. This is only a personal memoir of describing things with frank but fair opinion in the extemporal writing and/ or wit.hout making any intentional lapses or a damage to one's pr:estige and is absolutely 'non-prejudicial'. It has become all the more necessary to publish here in. this book some personal letters or comments or excerpts from many collections which the author possesses without which a proper illustration could not have been possible which may be judged and realised by the readers in jts proper perspective. General Mohan Singh of the INA (a defector from the British Army Officers Cadre) was entrusted with the task of raising the Army Unit, recruiting for INA trained hands of Infantries who already changed or likely to change their allegiance towards the British. He was successful. Lakshmi Menon (Sehgal) headed the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the INA comprising patriotic Indian women to fight the British, side by side, Genl. Bhonsle, Genl. Shah Nawaz Khan, Col. Habib-ul-Rahaman, Col. P.K. Sahgal, Col. Gulzara Singh and Col. G.S. Dhillon, were the other officers and most trustworthy persons of Netaji. Lately, Mohan Singh, Shah Nawaz Khan were found dubious in the public eyes. And of the Azad Hind Government the names of two Ministers: (1) S.A. Aiyar and (2) Debnath Das were circulated widely in the RIN ships and establishments. then. When the tempo sought up, the intellectuals from the RIN went all out to establish contacts with all or any of these persons of the IN A secretly and some appeared somewhat successful. They were even successful in carrying messages for the Indian people and a letter from Netaji himself to his elder brother Sarat Chandra Bose. Netaji's Message In Netaji's message, it contained that all Indians serving the then British forces viz. AiroForce, Na~ and Army should now join their hands with

4

RIN MUTINY: 1946

their aliies or in other words support the cause and action of the INA and drive out the Britishers from our Motherland without any loss of time. His messages were printed and distributed among all intellectuals and burning patriots then serving the RIN and through them it spreap all over the shore establishments and ships in India and abroad. Indians serving the British Army and Air Force also got the leader's messages, lately though. As explained here, RIN boys, were already busy in keeping themselves in full preparedness for a direct action against the British administration in India (when Pakistan was not even in their dreams), and we all witnessed the resultant action. The' sailors tried to establish contacts with Netaji but all their attempts failed. Then they tried to contact the INA Officers, but, here again, they were not successful as almost all of them were taken into British custody for summary trial at the Red Fort in Delhi. Therefore, there was hardly any time left for complacency or wait for the leadership to come from the political parties. Quite some of the sailors who took the, leading part, did not like anyone else to lead the, RIN Mutiny save and except Netaji which created another problem in continuing the strike (Mutiny). Quoted from B.C. Dutt's "Mutiny of the Innocents": (pp. 61/62) as under:

INA Trial "The new's of the impending trial of the Azad Hind soldiers naturally made "the ratings restless. Conditions inside the Barracks made the situation worse .... " "A group of determined men tried to make use of this situation for the cause of the country's liberation from foreign occupation. I was one of them. We came froth widely different regions and religion backgrounds. Some were from the, Punjab, and still further North. There were also men from the South, they belonged to Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Sikh families. The years spent in the Navy had made them - the ratings of the Royal Indian Navy -Indians". A colossal amount of time has laps-ed and with it plenty of salted water of the seas has poured in with the complacency of the nation builders and the people at large. One could easily imagine how things have lost their images in so far as many celebrated' personalities passed away or counting their days for their heavenly abode. If is, therefore, felt extremely difficult task to recapitulate the past and going back to as many as 40 long years. Consequently, there may be unintentional lapses of omissions in writing this part of the history which is considered to be the golden chapter or that the readers will consider it as a 'Memoir' ofthe .author with the historical background envisaged by the writer himself.

THE HISTORY OF RIN MUTINY: 1946

5

The days of 1944- i 945 or even ea;lier were the days ~f activities of Netaji and his devoted followers (Indian National Army). There was not a single day when the news of Netaji or his men did not hit the news headlines. Netaji spoke from Berlin and the radio did broadcast his speech and conveyed the message for his countrymen in India. There may be some persons who have heard his voice and they may also explain how they felt listening to'his message delivered to the Nation! 'Netaji' & 'Jai Hind' Chosen by Indian Nationals in Germany

We know how Netaji came to Tokyo in Japan and then to Malay to declare and establish the provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind Government). "Netaji" the reverend title was conferred on Subhas Chandra Bose by the Indian Nationals then in Germany who also chose "Jai Hind" for using'it as mutual salutation for each other whenever any two Indians met. Netaji's submarine voyage to Singapore was another sensational story whichM.R. Vyas (former M.P., Rajya Sabha), who worked as Secretary to Netaji narrated in the Maxmuller Bhawan at Calcutta some years ago. Col. Abid Hassan who escorted Netaji in the submarine in the long 90-day voyage ):lad also narrated the most difficult time that Netaji spent in the submariI~e and how he was able to reach the destination by overcoming all odds and hazards. Hassan also narrated an incident which took place in the INA camp when the Sikhs and Hindus differed to take food prepared by Muslim cooks imd the unique solution setforth by Netaji himself, i.e. by mixing up all foods prepared by different communities with different religious faith; which all ate. Netaji then taught them the lesson that there was no difference at ali,no matter whoever prepares the eatables good for health and clean. "{hey were satisfied with it which helped them to unite and fight to achieve the common goal. K.K. Bose who had been to Germany for higher studies also narrated in this meeting how he and the other scholars, then in Germany, were able to meet l'tfetaji and worked with him in the formation of INA Regiment with the Ind'iails residing in Germany and for their complete military training. All such news were hinted to the Indian Sailors by t,he IN A men whom they cai>tured them from Singapore and Rangoon camps of the INA and the news ventilated from mouth to mouth and spread all over the country. It will not be out of place to mention here that all this had a direct impact for the sailors becoming unruly and come to the rescue of all IN A brethrens at the time of need. High dissatisfaction for sufferings among all ranks and files in the RIN for the "press and demand work" policy of the British Naval Officers was brewing and the agitators encouraged the compatriots to push through their demands timely at this most opportune moment. Thus the situation was very much favourable to the ring leaders

6

RIN MUTINY: 1946

in the RIN who were all out and frantically hunting for the news of Netaji and his men or associates. Recruitments & Life in RIN

It would be worthwhile to discuss about -the life in RIN as also of the quality of boys recruited for the remotest training. Recruitment in RIN was very restricted. It largely depended on the recruit's health, age, education, family status and environment. Physical test, written test and minute screening were essential. Overcoming all such tests and barriers successfully one could qualify himself for the recruitment and ,special training which was rather tough for mediocres. The training period was extended up to one full year. During this training period more than fifty per cent boys/recruits reportedly fled away from the training Centres and the remaining withstanding all hardships and training were being sent up to different shore establishments and warships. For each and every individual,training at seal sea service was essential as otherwise promotion could not be had of. The relationship between a trm.nee and his instructor must be brotherly and cordial. But the instructors, mostly Indians, hailing from Punjab, Sind and Chittagong as also a few Britishers from Royal Navy, were very rough and extremely harsh towards the trainees. They always reported against each trainee to their superior officers, responsible for each Division who in turn reported the same to the Commanding Officer of the establishment. Each establishment comprised different watches, such as Blue, Red, White, Green, etc. and/or Blocks called A,B,C,D, and so on. The food offered to the trainees was not edible.· Those who complained of bad food were not in good books of the instructors and officers .. Rationing System

The entire rationing system in the RINwas nothing but a flop. For the new entrants, there had been nothing but 'the most ordinary morning tea with· breakfast (two reddish sliced bread roasted or unroasted with slight butter), lunch (a simple square meal with rice or hand-made bread called 'Chapati' and pulses or dal or mutton curry), afternoon tea and supper with the day break (same as provided during lunch) meant for an Indian soldier then while they were held Or lodged in Army barracks after recruitment. Thereafter when -the new recruits were sent to the Naval Training Establishments they were being asked about their choice of ration to be marked in the service records of every individual. There had been three classes of the ration, e.g. (i) 'ER'-English Ration which meant for mainly officers and Europeans and/ or the privileged class among the

THE HISTORY OF RIN MUTINY: 1946

7

ratings, the Anglo Indians who preferred it. Under this 'ER' group they were given everything offered -to other groups with additional quantity of beef, bacon/pork or mutton,cheese/custard, butter, condensed milk, ftuits, cigarettes, tinned fish and also tinned fruits, porridge, biscuits, cakes with big size loafs and best q\lality of rice plus teal coffee, drinks, cold drinks, etc., (ii) 'IR'-Indian Ration which meant for the majority of the ratings (Hindus "and Mohammedans) which included ordinary rice or bread/,Chapati' with mutton curry (sometimes beef also), ,Pulses, sliced loaf with butter or jam or jelly, tea., biscuits; etc. The quality being substandard or bad and not edible, (iii) 'VR'-Vegetable Ration which was preferred by the ratings who were orthodox caste Hindus (Brahmins) or whoever liked vegetarian food. which included ordinary coarse rice or breadj'Chapati' with pulses, vegetable curry, sliced loaf with butter or jam or jelly plus additional loaf; sugar, milk, fruits, tinned fruits, tea, biscuits, etc. Salary incentives were not up to expectation; Dress and Uniforms supplied to the trainees were insufficient and so required daily washing to keep pace with" tidiness and discipline in the rank and status, essential in RIN. During those days of British rule in the country, Navy was held on to a lofty position among the defence forces as being called the Senior Service and hence should" be respected by all. Seamen Ratings Duty

The overall supremacy in RIN of the seamen ratings cannot be denied considering their importance in all spheres of sea life and the duties allotted to them, such as: (i)

Boatswains Mate for carrying out daily routine work of the ship or establishment by blowing Boats.wains pipe with different and intermittent sounds for each order like "All hands to cook's galley"; "C.O.'sl Captains round"; "Light Ofr'; and so on and so forth. Boatswains Mate should accompany the Officer-on-duty or the Chief Petty Officer in all matters like inspection of dresses/ clothings/kits/lockers/beddings, etc. He should report to the Duty Officer. (ii) Gun Captain was vested with full power of manning the guns and its crew. Incharge of gun deck at the time of 'Action Station' or in emergency. Lookout duty was also allotted to a seaman rating.

Coxswain was the Captain of Boat (Sailing or Motor Boats). Incharge of Oresmen manned" by "all seamen ratings. Quarter Master I Helmsman Duty was also allotted to seamen ratings. Regulating and maintaining discipline was the prime duty of the seamen ratings. Besides this, greasing and upkeepment of weapons,knots and" splices, blocks, ship's rigging,

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RIN MUTINY: 1946

masthead! guards and sentry duty, compass reading, navigation, upkeepment of cables/wires/ropes, log book entries, lead line for measuring the sea depth in fathoms, chipping and painting of ship sides, holestone and all alike were the part and parcel duties of seamen ratings. Seamen belonged to administrative branch (called Upper Deck ratings) while the stokers belonging to engineering bi'anch (called Lower Deck ratings). The seamen ratings in the discipline stream were specialised in handling all sorts of weapons, including big and sophisticated guns, quarter master's duty, navigation and sailing of ships. Ratings from this. wing would be summoned to take full command of the ship in case of emergency or when the vacuum was created by sudden death of the Captain (C.O.) as also the next officer in command. Therefore, they were taught the lessons of visual signalling, telegraphy as also light signalling (including pistol fire signalling and morse code signalling) during their training. Educated seamen therefore kept themselves aloof from the ratings of other branches in RIN. Their movements were also restricted. They were consider~d hard core sailors in the Navy under British rule. Therefore, they had full supremacy over other branches ·nonetheless important. Other branches consisted of Gunnery, Submarine Detectors, Torpedomen, Shipwrights, Cooks, Stewards, Topass (sweepers).

HMIS Talwar' Those belonged to communication branch, Writers, Pay & Stores (Supply Dept.), MediCal & Engineering branches were also educated fully trained in their professions-matriculates, intermediates and B.A.~s.· Many of these ratings were politically conscious and were staunch patriots. This was proved when quite a number of ratings from the communication branch in HMIS Talwar revolted which has become a legend in the history. They were staunch followers of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The~'made thenstrategy in line with Netaji's INA movement and sought the leadership directly from Netaji or his real followers in the then Congress party which was the largest political entity in India then. The young boys opened dialogue of direct participation in the country's struggle for full independence as also freeing their comrades on hunger strike. Perhaps, this was the hardest blow that the Britishers received during their long tenure of administration in India. Therefore, there was no other alternative left to them to quit and relinquish all power to Indians. The commencement of hunger strike in Talwar had emerged giganti&: