Chapter 7: Public Press and Vernacular Press Act of 1878

In the courtroom that day, everything proceeded as usual. After returning to his personal residence, Mehbub was greeted by Savitri, who asked about dinner.

After dinner, Mehbub was deep in thought, contemplating his plan and its implementation, as well as the potential consequences. An idea struck him: controlling public opinion could garner widespread support, which would be crucial for managing internal situations and exerting pressure on the British. With sufficient public backing, defeating British land forces would be more feasible, and although challenging, damage could still be inflicted on their navy. This would compel the British to negotiate an agreement. As he considered this strategy, he recalled the Vernacular Press Act of 1878.

The Vernacular Press Act was introduced by the British colonial government under Viceroy Lord Lytton to suppress the growing influence of Indian-language newspapers critical of British policies. Key features of the Act included:

1. Censorship: It allowed the colonial government to impose strict censorship on vernacular newspapers.

2. Exclusion of English Newspapers: The Act did not apply to English-language newspapers, which were predominantly controlled by British or pro-British interests.

3. Confiscation and Fines: The government could confiscate printing presses, fine editors, and halt the publication of newspapers deemed seditious or anti-government.

The Act was widely criticized for targeting Indian-language newspapers while sparing English publications, leading to significant opposition from Indian journalists and nationalists. It was ultimately repealed on March 23, 1882, under the administration of Lord Ripon, marking a pivotal moment in the Indian nationalist movement and the development of the Indian press.

Realizing the opportunity this presented, Mehbub decided to act swiftly. He called for Elizabeth. A short while later, Elizabeth arrived and greeted him.

"Young Nizam, you called for me?" she inquired.

Mehbub, serious and focused, replied, "I have an important task for you." Elizabeth, sensing the gravity of the situation, nodded.

"I want you to establish a newspaper press and expand it across India. Build three to five press factories in each major city, depending on local needs, and two in smaller cities. Every town should have at least one. Start with these major cities: Calcutta, Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Lahore, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Allahabad, Benares, Cawnpore, Agra, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Karachi. Ensure these cities are covered within six months, and start planning for smaller towns as quickly as possible."

He paused to ensure she understood and added, "Also, select capable individuals and train them to read newspapers. Their skills will be valuable in the future. Focus on setting up the infrastructure first and do not worry about immediate profit. Remember, you have six months to cover the major cities, and if you can reach smaller towns sooner, it will be advantageous."

Elizabeth nodded and then asked, "Young Nizam, what should the newspaper be called? And in which languages should it be published?"

After a moment's thought, Mehbub replied, "We'll name it Indian Daily News. Each edition will have two sections: one in English and the other in the local regional language. Although this will be costlier, it will be beneficial in the long run."

Elizabeth nodded and suggested, "If time is a concern, why don't we purchase existing printing factories and renovate them? This would be more time-efficient and cost-effective."

Mehbub was pleased with the suggestion. "That's an excellent idea. Let's proceed with that approach." He then turned to Savitri, who had been standing quietly beside him. "Riri, assist Elizabeth by selecting reliable individuals to support her in this project."

Savitri nodded in agreement. After providing further instructions, Mehbub dismissed them, confident that the plan would be executed efficiently.