Anniversary of 1946 Royal Indian Naval Uprising Commemorated with Wreath Laying Ceremony and Seminar

Mumbai. The Maritime History Society hosted a thought-provoking seminar on February 18 to commemorate the historic 1946 Royal Indian Naval (RIN) Uprising that sparked from Mumbai. The Seminar was preceded by a Wreath Laying ceremony at the Naval Uprising Memorial in Cooperage, where wreaths were laid by RAdm Manish Chadha, FOMA and other senior naval officers. The Seminar featured Commodore Srikant B Kesnur, VSM, Ph.D (Retd) and Ms. Janhavi Lokegaonkar, Senior Research Associate at the Maritime History Society, who rendered deep insights into this pivotal event in India’s struggle for independence.

Ms. Janhavi’s talk delved into massive recruitment of Indian troops by the British, their significant contribution to the Allied efforts in World War II, their fight for the British cause amidst India’s Freedom Struggle and discriminatory as well as racial challenges they faced that led to the RIN Uprising.

In his compelling talk titled “Naval Uprising to National Uprising of Feb 1946 – The Last War of Independence,” Commodore Srikant Kesnur eloquently articulated how the ‘Naval Mutiny’ evolved into a formidable national uprising that reverberated across the British Empire, hastening its eventual exit from India. He stated that the actions of the participants in the mutiny transcended mere dissent and instead represented a resolute stand against colonial oppression and a fervent desire for self-determination. He underscored that the post-independence narratives of this seminal event have often been marginalised, failing to receive the attention and recognition it truly deserves.

The event concluded with a vibrant discussion among the attendees, highlighting the importance of acknowledging and commemorating the multifaceted contributions of individuals and movements in India’s quest for independence.

The Naval Uprising Memorial at Cooperage was kept open for the general public visitors who were assisted by the researchers of the Maritime History Society in understanding the real importance of this event and how it played a major role in India achieving freedom.