From the Archives (Jan. 31, 1919): The Sedition Bills.

Commenting on new repressive legislation, the ‘Maharashtra’ (Nagpur) exhorts all-Indian members to remember the history of the Press Act and the Defence of India Act. The Press Act was expressly intended for the suppression of anarchist propaganda. Mr. Gokhale and others replying on the solemn official promises supported the Act, but repented afterwards when it was too late. Promises were broken and the Act was abused. The Defence Act was a war measure undertaken to suppress enemy plots and secret intrigues. Was it not used against Mrs. Besant and many others engaged in peaceful constitutional agitation. Who can guarantee that the new laws will not be similarly abused. We cannot sell our liberties and birthright for a hundred Montagu Schemes. The paper publishes the names of Indian members and urge the people to hold protest meetings everywhere and pass resolutions appealing to the Indian members severally and collectively to oppose the measure tooth and nail.