The Press Act in Mysore

MYSORE is one of the foremost Indian States. A popular Representatives Assembly was established in the State as early as in 1881 and it now has a Legislative Council also with a majority of non-official members. Unfortunately, the Press Law of the State has, for some time past, been very drastic. The people have repeatedly requested the Government to remove the unreasonable restraints imposed on the Press, but so far in vain. Not that the State authorities have been entirely unmoved by these requests. On the contrary, both Sir Vishvesvaraya and Sir Kantharaj Urs have recognised the obsolete character of the Press Law. In their addresses to the Representatives Assembly at the annual sessions, successive Dewans have expressed their readiness to amend the law reasonably and some have frankly admitted that it is very drastic. No steps, however, had until recently been taken towards removing the grievances of the people. This inaction was due to the claim advanced by the authorities that they had not actually enforced the Act so as to restrain legitimate criticism. This, however, was a matter of opinion; and the advocates of a free Press could not be expected to share the views of the executive Government which is on the whole bureaucratic and claims certain privileges and even immunity from criticism. Within the last few months, a proposal has been made to remove some of the restrictions on the Press without restoring the freedom which the Press enjoyed before 1908. This decision has given no satisfaction to the people, who rightly claims that they are entitled to enjoy a free Press and urge that the law that has been in force during the last 16 years has had a very injurious effect on the State.

This day that year