| Consider the following statements about the Vernacular Press Act. |
| 1. Magistrates were given the right to ask the publisher of a newspaper not to publish anything offensive to peace and security. |
| 2. The act was applicable to every press run by the Indians. |
| 3. Fixed amount was paid as security guarantee. |
| 4. In case of a dispute, the parties could appeal to the High Court. |
| 5. It was repealed by Lord Ripon. |
| Which of the statements given above are correct? |
A) 1, 2, 3 and 5
B) 2, 4 and 5
C) 1, 3 and 4
D) 3, 4 and 5
Correct Answer: A
Solution :
[a] The latter half of the 19th century saw a remarkable growth in the Vernacular Press of the country and newspapers played a role of catalyst in the new socio-political consciousness. Earlier, the newspapers were being published in Kolkata, Madras, Bombay, Allahabad only but later the newspapers started getting published from smaller places also. Since, most of the newspapers published from smaller places, they all were in vernacular languages. In 1878, when this act was passed, the number of English Newspapers was 20 and vernacular newspapers were 200. These vernacular newspapers made the people aware of the political affairs and now the people slowly started asking questions for their rights. So, in the best interest of the government, Lord Lytton passed the Vernacular Press Act in 1878. By this act, the magistrates of the districts were empowred, without the prior permission of the government, to call upon a printer and publisher of any kind to enter into a Bond undertaking not to publish anything which might 'rouse' feelings of disaffection against the government. The magistrate was also authorised to deposit a security, which could be confiscated if the printer violated the Bond. If a printer repeated the violation, his press could be seised. Thus the Vernacular Press Act of 1878 gagged the-press and- result was some proceedings against some vernacular press people. There was now a popular protest against this act. The act was later repealed by Lord Ripon, who followed Lord Lytton.
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