Question

write short notes on the Vernacular Press Act

Answer 1

Vernacular Press Act, in British India, law enacted in 1878 to curtail the freedom of the Indian-language (i.e., non-English) press. 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). The act excluded English-language publications. It elicited strong and sustained protests from a wide spectrum of the Indian populace.

Answer 2

Proposed by Lord Lytton, the Vernacular Press Act was enacted in the year 1878. The main objective of the bill was to lessen the extent of the Indian-language (i.e., non-English) press. This act was applied to check the native press from revealing criticism of the policies executed by the British administration. In particular, this act was the outcome of the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878–80), which saw opposition from the vernacular press. Several provisions made under this Law:

1. This act gave an extended right to the administration to analyse papers and reports in the Vernacular press.

2. The state could keep a check on the actions of Vernacular journals.

3. Indians were not entitled to carry guns without a license.