What is the vernacular press act and Its Provisions?
The printing and communication system has been in the talk since ancient times. At that time, modern printing was not a thing. For a brief period, handwriting newspapers were circulated after collecting information from across the country. The newspaper writers had all the freedom, and often they were given wrong information in the paper; the Vernacular Press Act then came into the picture. It was to limit the freedom of the Indian-language press. The one who proposed the act was Lord Lytton, then viceroy of India (reigned 1876–80). He was the one initiating the vernacular press from criticizing British policies. This Vernacular press Act 1878 got sparked strongly and sustained by protestors, a large segment of Indians. Therefore, the show was termed the Gagging Act and only intended to limit vernacular/native language newspapers. THE STORY BEHIND VERNACULAR PRESS ACT During the time of Lytton’s reign, India was fighting badly. India was struck under the grip...