<P> In British India , the Vernacular Press Act ( Act of 1878 ) was enacted to curtail the freedom of the Indian press and prevent the expression of criticism toward British policies -- notably , the opposition that had grown with the outset of the Second Anglo - Afghan War ( 1878 -- 80 ) . The act was proposed by Lord Lytton , then Viceroy of India , and was unanimously passed by the Viceroy 's Council on March 14 , 1878 . The act excluded English - language publications as it was meant to control seditious writing in ' publications in Oriental languages ' everywhere in the country , except for the South. But the British totally discriminated the Indian Press . </P>
<P> In British India , the Vernacular Press Act ( Act of 1878 ) was enacted to curtail the freedom of the Indian press and prevent the expression of criticism toward British policies -- notably , the opposition that had grown with the outset of the Second Anglo - Afghan War ( 1878 -- 80 ) . The act was proposed by Lord Lytton , then Viceroy of India , and was unanimously passed by the Viceroy 's Council on March 14 , 1878 . The act excluded English - language publications as it was meant to control seditious writing in ' publications in Oriental languages ' everywhere in the country , except for the South. But the British totally discriminated the Indian Press . </P>
who passed the vernacular press act in 1878
who passed the vernacular press act in 1878
Viceroy 's Council
Viceroy 's Council