Introduction
The period between 1945 and 1947 was critical in India’s nationalist movement. With World War II ending and Britain’s weakening global position, Indian political activity intensified. Popular protests during these years took varied forms—from mass agitations and strikes to peasant revolts and communal violence—highlighting the people’s demand for immediate independence. These protests were marked by the participation of students, workers, peasants, women, and political activists across religious and regional lines.
1. The INA Trials and Public Outrage
The trials of Indian National Army (INA) officers—Shahnawaz Khan, Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, and Prem Kumar Sehgal—by the British in 1945 sparked nationwide protests. Public sympathy for INA grew rapidly, with the Congress and other parties organizing mass rallies and fundraising events. This phase saw unity among various communities in support of INA heroes, raising nationalist fervor.
2. Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Mutiny (1946)
One of the most significant and dramatic expressions of popular protest was the Royal Indian Navy mutiny in February 1946. Sailors of HMIS Talwar in Bombay revolted against racial discrimination, poor conditions, and British authority. The mutiny spread to other port cities like Karachi, Calcutta, and Madras. Although political leaders like Gandhi and Nehru distanced themselves from the rebellion, the British saw it as a serious challenge to colonial authority.
3. Workers’ Strikes
Trade union activism reached a peak during this time. Workers in Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras organized strikes for better wages, working conditions, and political rights. In 1946 alone, over 1,600 strikes took place, reflecting a rising wave of working-class militancy tied to nationalist aspirations.
4. Peasant Movements
Peasant protests also intensified in the post-war period. The Tebhaga movement in Bengal, led by sharecroppers demanding two-thirds of the produce from landlords, became emblematic. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, peasants mobilized against zamindars and British-backed landlords, often engaging in armed resistance. These movements combined economic grievances with anti-colonial sentiment.
5. Communal Violence and Direct Action Day
With the growing polarization between the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League, communal tensions increased. On August 16, 1946, the Muslim League observed Direct Action Day in support of Pakistan, leading to horrific riots in Calcutta and later in Bihar and Noakhali. These communal protests and reprisals revealed deep social divisions and foreshadowed the partition violence.
6. Students and Youth Mobilization
Students played an active role in organizing protests, distributing pamphlets, and joining public demonstrations. Student groups were particularly prominent during the INA trials and RIN mutiny, where they formed the backbone of civil society support and media outreach.
7. Women’s Participation
Women participated in various forms of protest, including picketing, joining rallies, organizing community kitchens, and supporting prisoners’ families. Their involvement continued the legacy of participation from earlier Gandhian movements and added a gendered dimension to the national struggle.
Conclusion
The period between 1945 and 1947 witnessed an extraordinary convergence of popular discontent, political mobilization, and radical protests. From military revolts and worker strikes to peasant uprisings and communal confrontations, these varied forms of protest underscored a nation on the brink of independence. They demonstrated that political power could no longer be maintained by colonial force and made British withdrawal from India both imminent and inevitable.