Mahatma Gandhi had written to Lord Irwin asking for the Bhagat Singh's execution to be commuted.
Despite his immense popularity, one black mark on Gandhi’s record which has provided his critics fodder is the fact that he failed to secure commutation of Bhagat Singh’s execution. The truth is that Gandhi did try and wrote to the Viceroy.
Describing his efforts, Gandhi’s secretary, Mahadev Desai quoted the Mahatma as saying : "I was not here to defend myself and hence I have not placed the facts as to what I have done to save Bhagat Singh and his comrades. I have tried to persuade the Viceroy with all the methods of persuasion I had. After my last meeting with the relatives of Bhagat Singh, on the appointed date, that is , 23rd morning, I wrote a personal letter to the Viceroy, in which I had poured in my whole being-heart and soul-but it has all gone in vain... Pandit Malaviyaji and Dr Sapru also did their utmost."
Meanwhile, Viceroy Lord Irwin took the public into confidence on his reasons for rejecting Gandhi's appeal. In his farewell speech on 26th March, 1931, Irwin said: "As I listened the other day to Mr. Gandhi putting the case for commutation formally before me, I reflected first on what significance it surely was that the apostle of non-violence should so earnestly be pleading the cause of devotees of a creed fundamentally opposed to his own, but I should regard it as wholly wrong to allow my judgment on these matters to be influenced or deflected by purely political considerations. I could imagine no case in which under the law the penalty had been more directly deserved."
Read the letter below:
M. K. Gandhi
1 DARYAGANJ, DELHI,
March 23, 1931
The Viceroy,
Govt. of India.
DEAR FRIEND,
It seems cruel to inflict this letter on you, but the interest of peace demands a final appeal. Though you were frank enough to tell me that there was little hope of your commuting the sentence of death on Bhagat Singh and two others, you said you would consider my submission of Saturday. Dr. Sapru met me yesterday and said that you were troubled over the matter and taxing your brain as to the proper course to adopt. If there is any room left for reconsideration, I invite you attention to the following.
Popular opinion rightly or wrongly demands commutation. When there is no principle at stake, it is often a duty to respect it.
In the present case the chances are that, if commutation is granted, internal peace is most likely to be promoted. In the event of execution, peace is undoubtedly in danger.
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.
Political murders have been condoned before now. It is worth while saving these lives, if thereby many other innocent lives are likely to be saved and maybe even revolutionary crime almost stamped out.
Since you seem to value my influence such as it is in favour of peace, do not please unnecessarily make my position, difficult as it is, almost too difficult for future work.
Execution is an irretrievable act. If you think there is the slightest chance of error of judgment, I would urge you to suspend for further review an act that is beyond recall.
If my presence is necessary, I can come. Though I may not speak1 I may hear and write what I want to say.
“Charity never faileth.”
I am,
Your sincere friend,
M. K. Gandhi
Source: mkgandhi.org
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 "Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh")
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