Who among the following was the only Indian member to be present when the Vernacular Press Bill came up before the Legislative Council ?
- APeary Mohan Mukherjea
- BJotendra Mohan Tagore
- CDinshaw Petit
- DDadabhai Naoroji
Explanation
The Vernacular Press Bill was introduced under Lord Lytton and passed by the Viceroy's Legislative Council in a single sitting on 14 March 1878. Contemporary accounts identify Maharaja Jotendra Mohan Tagore as the Indian member present when the Bill came up before the Council. Dinshaw Petit and Dadabhai Naoroji were not the members recorded as present on that occasion. Note: key disputed — independent verification inconclusive. UPSC's published final key marks option A (Peary Mohan Mukherjea), and the historical record on the member present could not be conclusively verified from available sources.