In which year the Indian Official Secrets Act was passed restricting the freedom of the Press?

Correct option is B

The Indian Official Secrets Act was indeed passed in 1904. This Act was introduced by the British colonial government with the aim of curbing the growing nationalist and anti-colonial activities in India. The primary purpose of the Act was to prevent the disclosure of any official documents, intelligence, or information that could harm the security of the state. It was used to silence journalists, political activists, and anyone who tried to expose the British administration's secrets. The law gave the government sweeping powers to arrest individuals suspected of espionage or leaking sensitive information, effectively restricting the freedom of the press.

Information Booster

Indian Official Secrets Act, 1904: This act was a critical tool used by the British to restrict the free flow of information, especially during the time of rising nationalism in India. It was designed to prevent the dissemination of government secrets and espionage-related activities. The Act enabled the government to arrest individuals suspected of spying or leaking sensitive information. It also curtailed the press’s ability to criticize British rule, as journalists who exposed state secrets or published information deemed damaging to British interests could be imprisoned under the Act. This law effectively gave the British government the power to control public opinion and stifle any anti-colonial movement by limiting the scope of reporting and communication.

Additional knowledge

1898: The Indian Official Secrets Act was not passed in 1898. However, the Indian Press Act of 1898 was introduced during this time to suppress the Indian press and restrict the dissemination of information. The 1898 Act empowered the British government to shut down newspapers and publications deemed harmful to British interests.
1912 and 1915: These years saw other forms of colonial repression, such as the Press Act of 1910 (not related to the Official Secrets Act) and the Defense of India Act of 1915 during World War I, which also restricted civil liberties. However, the Indian Official Secrets Act, which primarily dealt with espionage and the protection of government information, was passed in 1904, not during these years.