Assertion(A): The Vernacular Press Act was repealed in 1882 by Lord Ripon. Reason (R) : The Act did not discriminate between English Press and the Vernacular Press.

Assertion (A) is true as the Vernacular Press Act (VPA) of 1878 was indeed repealed in 1882 by Lord Ripon, who was known for his liberal policies [4]. However, Reason (R) is false. The VPA was specifically designed to curtail the freedom of Indian-language (non-English) newspapers while exempting English-language publications from its restrictive provisions. This blatant discrimination between the English and Vernacular press was one of its most criticized features, earning it the nickname 'The Gagging Act' [1][t3]. The Act required vernacular publishers to enter into bonds and provided no right of appeal against government censorship, whereas English papers faced no such constraints [1][t5]. Because the Act was inherently discriminatory, the reason provided is factually incorrect.

Sources

1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 29: Development of Indian Press > 560 ✫ A Brief History of Modern India > p. 560
2. [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > 7. Lord Ripon 1880-1884 > p. 819
3. [4] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vernacular-Press-Act