Published on 09 Oct 2025
The Prime Minister highlighted the need to eliminate outdated laws curbing individual freedoms, such as the Dramatic Performances Act (DPA) of 1876.
Enacted by the British to suppress nationalist sentiment after the 1875 visit of Prince Albert Edward, the DPA allowed authorities to ban plays deemed scandalous or seditious and permitted warrantless searches with penalty.
Though the Allahabad High Court ruled the DPA unconstitutional in 1956, it remained on the books in some states.
It was formally repealed in 2018 as part of efforts to scrap obsolete laws.
Article 372 of the Constitution states that laws in operation at the time of Independence would continue to be in operation.
However, colonial laws do not enjoy the presumption of constitutionality – which means that when a colonial law is challenged, the government must defend the law for it to be valid.
Dramatic Performances Act of 1876
National security
Security
Nationalism
Sedition
DPA
article 372