(Royal Indian Navy Mutiny of 1946)

The famous Royal Indian Navy (RIN) mutiny of 1946 ended after the statement of Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Kolkata. However, it was Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who intervened and after meeting with MS Khan made a statement of ending the strike.

(Bombay Revolt)

The Royal Indian Navy Mutiny was a strike by the Indian sailors of the Royal Indian Navy against the living conditions and the food provided to them. Also known as the Royal Indian Navy Revolt or the Bombay revolt, the aim of this revolt was to ensure better working conditions for the entire officers of the Royal Indian Navy. The strike started on 18th February 1946 at the Bombay harbour and soon the revolt spread throughout British India. More than 20,000 sailors from Karachi to Calcutta supported the revolt. The revolt was a general strike demanding better conditions. A Naval Central Strike committee was formed and leading signalman Lieutenant MS Khan and Petty Officer Telegraphist Madan Singh were named the president and vice-president of this revolt. The revolt spread throughout the country and even the Royal Indian Air Force, as well as the local police forces, also joined the revolt.

The British troops and the Royal Navy warships opposed the strike with forces which resulted in casualties. The Indian National Congress and the Muslim League condemned this revolt. However, it was the Communist Party which supported this mutiny. The revolt ended on 23rd February 1946 after the talks between Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel from the Indian National Congress and the president of the Naval Central Strike Committee (NCSC)Lieutenant MS Khan. After the talks at Bombay (Mumbai) Sardar Patel issued a statement informing about the ending of the strike. It was after this statement that Muhammad Ali Jinnah the leader of the Muslim League issued a similar statement in Calcutta (Kolkata).  

(Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel)