WBCS.LIVE practice question

Which act is known as the 'Gagging Act'?

Solve this multiple-choice question and check the correct answer with its explanation below.

Answer options

  1. Indian Council Act 1861
  2. Vernacular Press Act 1878
  3. Rowlatt Act 1919
  4. Arms Act 1878

Correct answer and explanation

Correct answer: Vernacular Press Act 1878

Explanation: āœ… Correct Answer: (B) Vernacular Press Act 1878 šŸ“š Explanation: The Vernacular Press Act of 1878, introduced by Lord Lytton, was nicknamed the 'Gagging Act' because it severely restricted the freedom of the Indian-language (vernacular) press. It allowed the government to confiscate printing presses if they published anything deemed "seditious." Interestingly, the Amrita Bazar Patrika converted into an English newspaper overnight to escape the provisions of this act.