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The suppression of Indian language newspapers under the Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was caused by the criticism of
Explanation
The Vernacular Press Act of 1878 was enacted by Lord Lytton to suppress the growing nationalist sentiment and seditious writing in Indian language newspapers. A primary catalyst for this repressive measure was the intense criticism directed at the British administration for its 'inhuman treatment' and 'inhuman approach' toward the victims of the devastating famine of 1876-77 [1]. While the country suffered from mass starvation, Lytton's government faced public outrage for organizing the lavish Imperial Delhi Durbar in 1877 and pursuing imperialistic policies like the Second Anglo-Afghan War [2]. The vernacular press became a platform for highlighting the government's failure to provide adequate relief, leading Lytton to label journalists as 'mischievous scribblers' and pass the Act to effectively silence such dissent [4].
Sources
- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 29: Development of Indian Press > Development of Indian Press ✫ 559 > p. 559
- [2] 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
- [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernacular_Press_Act