Vernacular press&Nationalism

VERNACULAR PRESS ACT
1) Vernaculr press Act was passed in 1878 modelled on the Irish press laws.
2) It provided the government with extensive rights to censor reports and editorials in the vernacular press.
3) The govt. kept regular track of newspapers and if a report was judged seditious, the newspaper was warned.
4) If the warning was ignored, the press was liable to be seized and the printing machinery confiscated.

THE GROWTH OF NATIONALISM IN INDIA
1) Print culture played an important role in the growth of nationalism in India.
Vernacular newspapers became nationalist; Although the Vernacular Press Act was passed, nationalist newspapers grew in number in all parts of India.
2) They reported on colonial misrule and encouraged nationalist activities.
3) There were protests all over India when Balgangadhar Tilak was imprisoned for his articles in Kesari.
4) People all over India became aware of the Colonial misrule.
Thus print media helped to instill the feeling of nationalism among Indians.