When was the infamous section 124-A relating to 'sedition' was incorporated into the Indian Penal code by an Act XXVII?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) 1870

Explanation:
• The Indian Penal Code (IPC) was originally drafted in 1860 by Thomas Babington Macaulay. Interestingly, the original 1860 draft did not include Section 124A (Sedition).
• It was added in 1870 by the British colonial government via an amendment (Act XXVII of 1870) to suppress the rising Wahabi movement and other anti-colonial dissent.
• Section 124A defines sedition as any action (speech, writing, or signs) that brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in India.
• Famous trials under this section include those of Jogendra Chandra Bose (1891), Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1897 and 1908), and Mahatma Gandhi (1922). Gandhi famously described this section as the 'prince among the political sections of the Indian Penal Code designed to suppress the liberty of the citizen.'

Information Booster:
• In 2022, the Supreme Court of India put the sedition law on hold, asking the government to re-examine it.
• The new law (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) has replaced IPC but includes similar provisions under 'Acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India'.

Additional Knowledge:
• 1860 (Option A): Year the IPC was enacted, but without the sedition section.
• 1861 (Option B): Year the Indian Councils Act and the Police Act were passed.
• 1879 (Option D): Known for the Vernacular Press Act (1878/79) under Lord Lytton, which also targeted the press but was separate from the IPC amendment.