[Freedom First]

Summary

In this personal and confidential letter dated July 23, 1975, M. R. Masani explains why the July issue of Freedom First has not reached readers: Maharashtra’s pre-censorship regime required the publication to submit its entire issue in page-proof form, resulting in deletions and the suspension of publication. He describes the decision to leave censored spaces blank and print the word “censored” across them, and reports that the Chief Minister, S. B. Chavan, had warned that newspapers leaving editorial or other columns blank could face serious consequences.

Masani reports that Freedom First challenged both the validity of the Maharashtra Government’s June 26 censorship order and the censor’s allegedly excessive exercise of authority in a petition before the Bombay High Court. He notes that a revised issue submitted on July 14 was subjected to further restrictions, including the prohibition of material previously approved. Pending the court proceedings, and with the approval of the Democratic Research Service’s Executive Board, Freedom First decided to suspend publication while affirming its commitment to freedom of thought and expression.

Key points

• The July 1975 issue of Freedom First was delayed and ultimately suspended because of Maharashtra’s pre-censorship regime.
• The censor required the complete issue to be submitted in page-proof form and ordered the deletion of specified articles.
• Freedom First preserved censored spaces and proposed printing “censored” across the blank areas to inform readers.
• Masani cites a warning attributed to Maharashtra Chief Minister S. B. Chavan against newspapers leaving editorial columns blank in protest.
• A petition before the Bombay High Court challenges both the June 26, 1975 censorship order and the censor’s alleged overreach.
• Further censorship was imposed on a revised issue submitted on July 14, including material that had previously been approved.
• The publication was suspended pending the court’s decision, with the letter framing the action as a defence of freedom of thought and expression.