Bhagat Singh’s execution remains a controversial chapter in India’s freedom struggle, reflecting the tension between revolution and non-violence.

Bhagat Singh’s Trial and Sentencing

• Lahore Conspiracy Case: Bhagat Singh, arrested for bombing the Central Assembly (April 8, 1929), was later sentenced for John P. Saunders’ assassination (Dec 17, 1928).
• HSRA: The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) led by Bhagat Singh and Chandra Shekhar Azad carried out the act to avenge Lala Lajpat Rai’s death.
• Final Verdict: On October 7, 1930, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were sentenced to death. The Special Tribunal set up by the British left no legal recourse for appeal. A political intervention was seen as the only way to save Bhagat Singh.
• Legal Irregularities: A. G. Noorani (1996) described the trial as one where the British regime manipulated justice to eliminate political opponents.

Gandhi-Irwin Pact

• Background: In 1930, Gandhi initiated the Civil Disobedience Movement with the Dandi March, protesting against the British salt laws. The movement triggered nationwide protests, leading to a severe British crackdown.
• British Response: Thousands of freedom fighters, including Gandhi, were arrested. On January 25, 1931, Viceroy Irwin announced the unconditional release of Gandhi and other Congress leaders to pave the way for negotiations.
• Terms of the Pact: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included key terms such as the release of all non-violent political prisoners 
  • Remission of fines imposed on freedom fighters, return of confiscated lands to rightful owners
  • Leniency towards government employees who had resigned during the movement.
• Gandhi’s Efforts: Gandhi raised objections to the Special Tribunal as early as May 1930. During the Gandhi-Irwin negotiations, he mentioned Bhagat Singh on February 18, 1931. 
  • On March 23, 1931, the morning of the execution, Gandhi made a final plea to the Viceroy.
• Opposition: Gandhi strongly disagreed with Bhagat Singh’s violent methods. He described the Assembly bombing as a “criminal act of two mad youths”. At the Karachi session of Congress, he referred to Bhagat Singh’s actions as an “error”
• Criticism: Gandhi never officially demanded a commutation of Bhagat Singh’s sentence. Some historians argue that he deliberately avoided pressuring Irwin. Journalist D.P. Das suggested that Gandhi prioritized the Delhi Pact over Bhagat Singh’s life.

Unresolved Debate

• Defenders of Gandhi: V.N. Datta argued that Gandhi had limited power and was working under constraints. Some believe Irwin would not have commuted the sentence, regardless of Gandhi’s intervention.
• Critics of Gandhi: A.G. Noorani claimed that Gandhi could have done more but chose not to. Critics argue that Gandhi delayed his efforts and acted too little, too late.

Gandhi vs. Bhagat Singh: Different Ideologies

• Philosophy:
  • Gandhi: Advocated Non-Violence (Ahimsa) and Satyagraha as the path to independence.
  • Bhagat Singh: Believed in Direct Action and Revolutionary Struggle against British rule.
• Strategy:
  • Gandhi: Preferred negotiations with the British and peaceful protests.
  • Bhagat Singh: Saw violence as a necessary step to overthrow colonial rule.
• Political Ideology
  • Gandhi: Focused on moral and ethical resistance through civil disobedience.
  • Bhagat Singh: Advocated socialism and studied Marxism while in jail.
• Views:
  • Gandhi: Called Bhagat Singh’s methods “wrong and futile.”
  • Bhagat Singh: Criticized Gandhi’s non-violent approach as ineffective against British oppression

Conclusion

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact remains overshadowed by the Bhagat Singh controversy. The debate over Gandhi’s role in Bhagat Singh’s execution remains unresolved. It reflects the broader ideological divide between non-violence and revolutionary nationalism in India’s freedom struggle.