Dramatic Performances Act, 1876

Dramatic Performances Act, 1876

Recently, the Prime Minister, while emphasizing the government's efforts to repeal outdated and irrelevant laws, highlighted the Dramatic Performances Act, 1876.

This law was one of several enacted by the British to suppress the growing Indian nationalist movement.
According to Article 372 of the Constitution, pre-independence laws could remain in force, but colonial laws lack the presumption of constitutionality and require defense from the government when challenged.

The Dramatic Performances Act, 1876 granted the British government the authority to "prohibit public dramatic performances that are scandalous, defamatory, seditious, or obscene."
The Act was deemed unconstitutional by the Allahabad High Court in the State vs. Baboo Lal And Ors case in 1956. It was formally repealed in 2018 as part of the government's initiative to remove obsolete laws.

Other repressive laws from this era, such as the Vernacular Press Act, 1878, and the sedition law of 1870, were also aimed at suppressing nationalist movements and stifling opposition to colonial rule.

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