Whenever someone mentions February 14, the first thing that comes to mind is Valentine's Day, celebrated worldwide, including in India. However, few remember that on this day, three brave legends—Sukhdev, Rajguru, and Bhagat Singh—chose their love for the nation over anything else. The British sentenced them to death for their unwavering dedication to India's freedom struggle.
These revolutionaries had the option to escape, yet they chose martyrdom, sending a powerful message to the entire nation. Even today, the question lingers in our minds:
Why did the British announce the death sentence for Bhagat Singh and his comrades?
Why did Gandhi Ji reject the opportunity to save Bhagat Singh from the British?
In the next few minutes, let’s uncover the historical facts behind their execution and Gandhi Ji’s stance on their fate.
Bhagat Singh’s Journey to Revolution
Bhagat Singh was raised in a politically charged environment, witnessing movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Ghadar Movement, and the horrifying Jallianwala Bagh massacre. These events deeply influenced him, driving his resolve to fight against British rule.
On one side, Gandhi Ji and Congress were leading the Non-Cooperation Movement through peaceful protests. On the other, young revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Sukhdev, and Rajguru believed in a more direct approach. Inspired by revolutionaries like Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan, they followed the path of armed resistance, convinced that "guns were the only answer to British guns."
The Assassination of John Saunders
One of the turning points in Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary path was the killing of British police officer John Saunders. This was a response to the brutal police attack on Lala Lajpat Rai, who later succumbed to his injuries. Enraged by Gandhi Ji’s continued commitment to non-violence, Bhagat Singh and his associates decided to take justice into their own hands.
On December 17, 1927, Rajguru fired the first shot at Saunders, followed by multiple rounds from Bhagat Singh. With the support of Sukhdev and Chandrashekhar Azad, they executed their plan successfully.
The Assembly Bombing Incident
To further their cause, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt decided to make a statement on a larger stage. They entered the Central Legislative Assembly and, instead of attacking individuals, threw smoke bombs while chanting slogans of "Inquilab Zindabad!" (Long Live the Revolution!). As per Chandrashekhar Azad’s plan, they were supposed to escape, but Bhagat Singh chose to stay and get arrested, ensuring their message reached every Indian.
Why Gandhi Ji Rejected Saving Bhagat Singh?
After Bhagat Singh’s arrest, he and his comrades were sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the British later changed the verdict to a death sentence. This led to significant pressure on Indian leaders, including Congress and Mahatma Gandhi, to intervene and save them.
Madan Mohan Malaviya, the Congress President at the time, urged Gandhi Ji to include Bhagat Singh’s release in the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. However, Gandhi Ji refused, stating that Bhagat Singh’s path was different from his own, and he did not want to interfere.
Despite Gandhi Ji’s reluctance, Malaviya wrote an apology letter to the British, pleading for clemency. However, Bhagat Singh refused any such plea, believing that "it is better to die with pride than to live at the mercy of the British."
On February 14, 1931, Lord Irwin rejected Malaviya’s request, stating, "We cannot forgive anyone who attacks the British." This sealed Bhagat Singh’s fate. He was executed along with Sukhdev and Rajguru on March 23, 1931—24 hours before the scheduled time to avoid any last-minute protests.
Could Gandhi Ji Have Saved Bhagat Singh?
Many believe that Gandhi Ji could have forced the British to release Bhagat Singh by making it a condition in the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. He only demanded the release of peaceful protestors, avoiding any mention of Bhagat Singh and his comrades.
Some historians argue that Gandhi Ji planned to request clemency on the day of execution, but the British hanged them earlier than expected. Others claim that even Bhagat Singh’s father asked him to apologize, but Bhagat Singh stood firm in his beliefs, refusing to seek mercy from the British.
One common misconception is that Bhagat Singh was sentenced to death on February 14, 1931. The truth is that the court had already passed the order on October 30, 1930. However, February 14 remains significant as it was the day when the British rejected all appeals for his release.
Conclusion
Gandhi Ji’s decision not to intervene remains a topic of debate. Could he have saved Bhagat Singh? Did he deliberately avoid it? These questions continue to spark discussions. Regardless, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru’s sacrifice remains immortal in Indian history.
What are your thoughts on this? Let me know in the comments below!
Stay tuned for more alternate history scenarios on 'Unhappened World'.
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