The last letter Bhagat Singh wrote was to his comrades on 22 March 1931, a day before his execution. Some of Bhagat Singh’s comrades thought that he could still be saved from the gallows by helping him escape from the jail. While appreciating his comrades’ concern, Bhagat Singh underlines the significance of his own execution for the country, which indicates his farsightedness and political maturity.
Comrades!
It is natural that the desire to live should be in me as well, I don’t want to hide it. But I can stay alive on one condition that I don’t wish to live in imprisonment or with any binding.
My name has become a symbol of Hindustani revolution, and the ideals and sacrifices of the revolutionary party have lifted me very high — so high that I can certainly not be higher in the condition of being alive.
Today my weaknesses are not visible to the people. If I escape the noose, they will become evident and the symbol of revolution will be tarnished, or possibly be obliterated. But to go to the gallows with courage will make Hindustani mothers aspire to have children who are like Bhagat Singh and the number of those who will sacrifice their lives for the country will go up so much that it will not be possible for imperialistic powers or all the demoniac powers to contain the revolution.
And yes, one thought occurs to me even today — that I have not been able to fulfil even one thousandth parts of the aspirations that were in my heart to do something for my country and humanity. If I could have stayed alive and free, then I may have got the opportunity to accomplish those and I would have fulfilled my desires. Apart from this, no temptation to escape the noose has ever come to me. Who can be more fortunate than me? These days, I feel very proud of myself.
Now I await the final test with great eagerness. I pray that it should draw closer.
Your comrade
Bhagat Singh
22 March 1931
This letter is extracted from the book “The Bhagat Singh Reader” which is a collection of all the material ever written by Bhagat Singh. Chaman Lal professor (retired) has edited this collection
