Here is a guide that speaks about the Vernacular Press Act (1878), what it holds, why it came into the picture, and its provisions etc.
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Wondering what the Vernacular Press Act is? Printing and communication is not a matter of the present, but can be dated back to ancient regimes. There was no such concept of modern printing, with efficient transport facilities, education and communication etc.
The Mughals brought about the new style of written newspapers. A very controversial and suppressive act was enacted in 1878 by the viceroy of British India. Lord Robert Bulwer-Lytton passed the Act to curb the freedom of the Indian language publications.
The vernacular press that discussed the terrible policies laid out by the viceroy, led to widespread protests. And, he also mishandled the 1876-’77 famine. Thus, the government came up with the Vernacular Press Act.
It restricted substantial writings that led to public opinion and disaffection towards the government. It was proposed to prevent the vernacular press from criticising British policies.
What Is The Vernacular Press Act?
In brief, the British government enacted it to restrict and suppress indigenous press. Also, it wanted to limit the freedom of speech, limit and restrain publication companies from criticising government policies.
A substantial segment of the Indian population was protesting against the Act. Therefore, it got named the “Gagging Act”. It was meant only for the vernacular/native language newspapers and not English-language publications.
Provisions Of The Vernacular Press Act
- The district magistrate holds the authority to order the printer and publisher of any vernacular publication to adhere to the government’s terms.
- The Act ensured that they did not print anything that may arouse public outrage, promote hatred, fuel anger or dissatisfaction with the government based on caste, religion, race etc.
- The publisher needed to deposit a security, which might be forfeited if the law was considered to be broken by them.
- If the crime gets committed again, the government may take away the press tools.
- Proof sheets for newspaper and magazine articles must get submitted to the police, rather than a judge, before publication.
- The magistrate’s judgment is regarded as final in such circumstances, and no legal action may be taken against it.
Indian Response To The Vernacular Press Act
The “Amrita Bazaar Patrika” came into the picture, and took the responsibility to convert the newspaper from its original Bengali to English. It was done only to avoid the provisions of the Act from applying to them.
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s “Som Prakash” publication was then stopped, or fell to a halt. But later, things turned out fine when written assurances of allegiance to the government were given. The publication was resumed in 1880.
Many papers were fined by the government, and the publications’ editors were put behind bars. There were fines and imprisonment to the editor listed under the provisions of the Act.
Many like “Dacca Prakash”, “Bharat Mihir”, “Sadharani”, “Bharat Sanskar”, “Halisahar Patrika”, “Sulabh Samachar”, among others, were accused of leading a seditious movement.
Many prominent figures, personalities and individuals in West Bengal and the rest of India, condemned the Vernacular Press Act. They demanded that the Act be repealed, immediately.