Q. Which of the following is/are the provision/s of the Vernacular Press Act (VPA)?
1.The district magistrate was empowered to call upon the printer and publisher of any vernacular newspaper to enter a bond with the government undertaking.
2.The magistrate’s action was final, and no appeal could be made in a court of law.
3.A vernacular newspaper could get exemption from the operation of the Act by submitting proofs to a government censor.
Choose the correct answer from below given codes:

[A] 1 only

[B] 1 and 2 only

[C] 2 and 3 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D
Notes:

Explanation: The Vernacular Press Act (VPA) was designed to ‘better control’ the vernacular press and effectively punish and repress seditious writing. The provisions of the Act included the following.

  • The district magistrate was empowered to call upon the printer and publisher of any vernacular newspaper to enter a bond with the government undertaking not to cause disaffection against the government or antipathy between persons of different religions, caste, race through published material;
  • The printer and publisher could also be required to deposit security which could be forfeited if the regulation were contravened, and press equipment could be seized if the offence re-occurred.
  • The magistrate’s action was final, and no appeal could be made in a court of law.
  • A vernacular newspaper could get exemption from the operation of the Act by submitting proofs to a government censor.

Source: Spectrum Modern India