Could Gandhi Have Saved Bhagat Singh From Execution?

A question that has been asked throughout the history of the Indian freedom struggle. Bhagat Singh, a young socialist revolutionary, was hanged at the age of 23, with his 2 mates, Sukhdev and Rajguru. But the question still remains, could they have been saved by the Father of this Nation?

It is said that Mahatma Gandhi had a great influence on the Viceroy and could have declined signing the Irwin Pact and saved the three young revolutionaries from being martyred. It was through the same impact that Gandhi got the political prisoners released. But did not advocate for Bhagat Singh, turning a deaf ear to the country’s plea. Why did he do so?

Theorists say that Gandhi believed in the means of Satyagraha to attain freedom, which was the exact opposite of Bhagat Singh’s strategies, who believed that every action requires equal reaction. Bhagat Singh gained great popularity amongst the blood-thirsty youth, who trampled the idea of non-violence underneath their march of revenge. So was this clash of contrary ways the reason for Gandhi to not suspend the execution? Was the popularity and followership gained by Bhagat Singh and his ideals the reason for Gandhi’s insecurity?

But there are some premises which also say that Gandhi did take some effort. In the letter to the Viceroy, Gandhi’s exact words were, “ Seeing that I am able to inform you that the revolutionary party has assured me that, in the event of these lives being spared, that party will stay its hands, suspension of sentence pending cessation of revolutionary murders becomes in my opinion a peremptory duty.”

But the same letter is concluded with the line that “Though I may not speak, I may hear and write what I want to say.” Stating another side of the same story that he was not in favour of discussions, taking into account that this would have tarnished the diplomatic ties and would have been harmful for the Congress. So is it true that Gandhi was the reason behind Bhagat Singh’s death, or was his act of saving him ignored in the cries of loss and sadness?

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