Rise of Press, Literature and Public Opinion

2020-04-27 15:07:02

![[Drawing 2022-09-12 17.44.04 Rise of Press.excalidraw |700]]

Raja Rammohan Roy was the 1st to protest against a regulation restricting the freedom of press in 1824
Press was the chief media for propagation of politicization, propaganda, education and nationalist ideology at a time when mass struggles did not take place.
Early work of Congress was accomplished largely through press.
reading became a form of political participation
The motto of the press was opposing the colonial gov

Various techniques used by newspapers to circumvent laws such as 124A were :

Preface showed sentiments of loyalty to the Gov and the Queen.
Anti-imperialist extracts from London based socialist and Irish newspapers were published.
Some radical expose would be written as an advice from a well-wisher.
@ Surendranath Bannerjea was the first journalist to go to jail.
@ Tilak in 1881 along with GG Agarkar founded the Kesari in Marathi and Mahratta in English
Along with Shivaji and Ganapati festivals
Boycott of foreign cloth against imposition of excise duty on cotton in 1896
- believed that lower middle class were the most crucial part of the nation
- initiated a no tax campaign for famine stricken peasants/lower middle class and asked them not to pay land revenue if crops were destroyed.
- 18 months in prison for supporting/inciting the killing of the Poona Plague commissioner by Chapekar brother 1899.
Tilak was tried again in 1908 for his support to the revolutionary terrorism in Bengal and other areas and his defence of the bomb.
very influential political and journal figure and a predecessor to Gandhi.

Balshastri Jambhekar (1812-1846)

started the newspaper Darpan in 1832.
father of Marathi journalism
started Digdarshan - articles on scientific subjects as well as history
Founded the Bombay Native General Library and started the Native Improvement Society.

under Lord Wellesley was enacted anticipating French invasion of India.
Newspapers were to clearly print in every issue name of printer, editor and proprietor
all material to be submitted to Secy for pre censorship.
extended in 1807 to cover journals, pamphlets and even books.
==It was relaxed by Lord Hastings in 1818== but he laid down some general rules for guidance of newpaper editors to prevent discussion of topics detrimental of Govt or against public interest.
James Buckingham of Calcutta Journal was deported under this act.

John Adams regulations were reactionary.
Every printer published to obtain license for starting a press.
penalty was Rs 400 for each publication or imprisonment. Magistrates were authorised to attach unlicensed press.
GG had right to revoke licence.
directed chiefly against Indian language papers.
Mirat ul Akbar had to stop publication.

1823 regulation was not revoked under Bentinck who was liberal.
Charles Metcalfe in 1835 repealed the ordinance was called the ‘Liberator of Indian Press’.
Macaulay supported free press in India
New Press act required a self declaration of premises of publication and a similar decl to cease operations.
This continued till 1856 -> rapid growth of newspapers.

replaced Metcalfe’s act
was regulating not restrictive, name of printer and publisher and place of printing was to be printed legibly
1 month after publication a free copy was to be supplied to local govt

![[10.1 Constitutional Development between 1858-1935#What were the restrictions imposed by the Vernacular Press Act 1878]]

Unpopular acts of Curzon led to growth of extremist ideas -> violence
Newspaper Incitement of Offences Act 1908 allowed magistrates to confiscate press property.
Local govt could annul declaration made by printer, publisher.
NP editors could appeal to HC within 15days of order.

empowered local gov to demand a security at registration from printer and publisher which could be annulled for publishing offensive material.
Renewal security was more than double the previous time.
Could appeal to Special Tribunal of HC within 2 months
Defence of India rules during 1st WW was used to further stifle political agitation.
==Sapru Committee in 1921 appt to review working of press laws== on whose recom previous 2 acts were repealed.

on the backdrop of CDM, revived provision of 1910.
gave ==powers to provincial govt to suppress propaganda for CDM for publishing== words, signs or visible rep that incite or encorage murder or any other congnizable offence or approval or admiration of such offence directly or indirectly.
These provision were added to Criminal Amendment act of 1932.

“The vernacular press in the nineteenth century was both newspaper as well as ‘viewspapers’ that enlightened the dormant masses.” Comment. [2008, 20m]

“The vernacular press in nineteenth century India served not just as newspapers but more importantly as views-papers.” Comment. [2011, 20m]
Do you agree with the view that the growth of vernacular literature in the 19th and the 20th centuries paved the way for social reform and cultural revival in India? [2016, 10m]
Assess the role of press in arousing awareness on important social issues in the second half of the nineteenth century. [2017, 20m]