Question

What was vernacular press act

Answer 1

Proposed by Lord Lytton, then viceroy of India (governed 1876–80), the act was intended to prevent the vernacular press from expressing criticism of British policies—notably, the opposition that had grown with the outset of the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80).

Answer 2

it took away the freedom of the press 
it didnt allowed the press to print against the british