The Vernacular Press Act gags Indian papers

Lord Lytton's law curbed newspapers in Indian languages.

Key points for UPSC

• Lord Lytton's Vernacular Press Act of 1878 let the government punish Indian-language papers for 'seditious' writing; critics called it the Gagging Act.
• Amrita Bazar Patrika turned itself into an English paper almost overnight to escape the Act.
• Lord Ripon repealed it in 1882.

Test yourself

1. 1. The Vernacular Press Act was passed under which Viceroy?

   • (a) Lord Lytton
   • (b) Lord Ripon
   • (c) Lord Curzon
   • (d) Lord Canning
   Show answer

   (a) Lord Lytton. Lytton brought it in 1878.

2. 2. Which newspaper switched to English to escape the Act?

   • (a) Amrita Bazar Patrika
   • (b) Kesari
   • (c) The Hindu
   • (d) Young India
   Show answer

   (a) Amrita Bazar Patrika. Amrita Bazar Patrika became an English paper overnight.

3. 3. The Act was repealed by:

   • (a) Lord Ripon in 1882
   • (b) Lord Curzon in 1905
   • (c) Lord Minto in 1909
   • (d) Lord Irwin in 1931
   Show answer

   (a) Lord Ripon in 1882. Ripon repealed it in 1882.