The first press restriction or censorship was imposed in India during the British rule, during the period of:
(A) Sepoy Mutiny
(B) Panipat War
(C) Jallianwalabagh
(D) Tughlaq Regime
Correct Ans: (C)
Explanation:
The British government imposed the first press censorship in India during the time of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. This incident, which occurred in 1919, marked a significant moment in Indian history and led to strict control over the press. The colonial rulers aimed to suppress information and prevent the spread of dissent. They feared that unrestricted media coverage would ignite widespread anger and revolution against British policies.
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre was a horrific event where British forces, led by General Dyer, opened fire on a peaceful gathering of Indians. This led to international outrage and criticism of British rule. In response, the British administration introduced harsh press restrictions to limit the flow of information about the event. These restrictions included pre-publication censorship and severe penalties for any content deemed inflammatory or critical of British rule.
On the other hand, the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 saw some press regulations but not formal censorship laws. The Panipat War and the Tughlaq Regime occurred much earlier and are unrelated to modern press censorship.
This historical censorship emphasized the power of the press and its ability to influence public opinion. It also demonstrated the British government’s fear of the Indian independence movement, which was growing stronger with every passing year.
