Parliamentary Debates Parliament of India Friday 5th October 1951 Part II - Proceedings other than Questions and Answers Official Report

The object of this measure is just to pre- vent the publication of objectionable matter; it is not the object, I think, of the Government to prevent publication of the newspapers altogether. [...] Pandit Thakur Das Bhargava: sir, I have given notice of two amend- ments in regard to the fixation of a ceiling and the other in regard to proof of the fact that the person proceeded against knew the nature of the objec- tionable matter. [...] But even then, I submitted, as I am submitting now for your consideration that though the question of intention of the keeper of the press who is in charge of the dis- semination of the obiertinnahlp matter is not so material, at the same time, his knowledge of the nature of the objectionable matter is absolutely essential. [...] If the matter is very objectionable, there will be the tend- ency for the judge to bind him down without taking the proof that the person knew that the nature of the objectionable matter was such as should have made the keeper of the press to withhold his activity. [...] -Considering it from every standpoint, from the point of view of the remedies provided, from the point of view of the protracted nature of the trial and from the point of view of the general interest these provisions which are sought to be sub- stituted are not good.