4. THE PRESS ENQUIRY COMMITTEE

In March 1947, the Government of India appointed a Press Enquiry Committee and charged it with the duty of examination of the Press laws in the light of the Fundamental Rights formulated by the Constituent Assembly of India.

Among the recommendations of the Committee was the repeal of the Indian Emergency Powers Act of 1931, amendments in the Press of Registration of Books Act, modification in Section 124-A and 156-A of the Indian Penal Code, repeal of the India States (Protection against Disaffection) Act, 1932 and the Indian States (Protection) Act, 1934.

DEVELOPMENT AFTER INDEPENDENCE

The Press (Objectionable Matters) Act, of 1951 was passed along with an amendment to Article 19 (2) of the Indian Constitution. The act empowered the government to demand and forfeit security for publication of ‘objectionable matter’. Aggrieved owners and printers were given the right to demand a trial by jury. It remained in force till 1956.

Press Commission under Justice Rajadhyaksha recommended the establishment of an All India Press Council, fixing the press-page schedule system for newspapers banning cross-word puzzle competitions, evolving a strict code of advertisement by newspapers, and the desirability of preventing concentration in ownership of Indian newspapers.

INTRODUCTION OF WESTERN EDUCATION IN INDIA

The East India Company became a ruling power in Bengal in 1765 and with the passage of time, the Indian officers of the Company urged the Court of Directors to do something for the promotion of learning. Some half-hearted efforts were made by the Company’s government to foster oriental learning.

For instance, Warren Hastings set up the Calcutta Madarsa in 1781 for the study and learning of Persian and Arabic. In 1791, the efforts of Jonathan Duncan resulted in Sanskrit College at Banaras for the learning of the laws, literature, and religion of the Hindus.

Fort William College was set up by Lord Wellesley in 1800, for the training of the Civil Servants of the Company, in the language and customs of India. The college published an English-Hindustani dictionary, Hindustani grammar, and some other books. However, the Court of Directors ordered the closure of the college in 1802.

The Serampore missionaries, in particular, were very enthusiastic about the spread of education. Progressive Indian elements favored the spread of English education and Western learning. Raja Rammohan Roy protested against the government’s proposal to strengthen the Calcutta Madarsa, the Banaras Sanskrit College, and the establishment of more oriental colleges in Bengal.

He requested Lord Amherst to promote Western Education in India. He was the chief advocate of the modern process of education and science. The protests of Raja Rammohan Roy did not go unheeded. The government agreed to encourage the study of English as well as oriental languages. A grant was sanctioned for the Calcutta Hindu College to be set up in 1817.