---
title: "Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras (1950) — Definition"
description: "Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras (1950) was a landmark ruling protecting press circulation under free speech, significant for India's constitutional law."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/romesh-thappar-case-1950"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Romesh Thappar v.
- State of Madras (1950) was a landmark Supreme Court of India ruling that struck down a press ban and established that freedom of speech protects circulation, not merely expression.
- Why did Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras lead to the First Amendment?
- What did the case establish about freedom of circulation?
- How does Romesh Thappar differ from the Ram Manohar Lohia cases?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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## Timeline

1. 26 May 1950

   State of Madras\*\* (1950 SCR 594; AIR 1950 SC 124) was among the earliest constitutional decisions of the Supreme Court of India, delivered on , barely three…

2. 26 January 1950

   State of Madras\*\* (1950 SCR 594; AIR 1950 SC 124) was among the earliest constitutional decisions of the Supreme Court of India, delivered on 26 May 1950, ba…

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Example

In 1950 the Government of Madras banned circulation of Romesh Thappar's weekly Cross Roads; the Supreme Court struck down the ban, prompting Parliament to pass the First Amendment in 1951.

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