IPC 153A — Promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Statutory text

[153A. Promoting  enmity  between different groups on ground of religion, race, place  of  birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.--(1) Whoever-
(a) by words, either  spoken  or  written, or by signs or by visible  representations  or  otherwise, promotes  or attempts to promote, on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language,  caste  or  community  or  any other ground whatsoever,

disharmony or  feelings of enmity,  hatred  or  ill-will  between different  religious, racials, language  or  regional  groups  or castes or communities, or (b) commits any act which is prejudicial to the  maintenance of harmony  between  different  religious,  racial,  language  or regional groups or castes or communities, and which  disturbs  or is likely to disturb the public tranquillity, [or]
[(c) organizes  any  exercise,  movement,  drill  or other similar activity intending that the participants in such activity shall  use  or  be  trained  to use criminal force or violence or knowing it to be likely  that the participants in  such  activity will use or be trained to  use  criminal  force  or  violence, or participates in such activity intending to use or  be  trained to use criminal force or violence or knowing  it  to  be likely that the participants in such activity will use or  be  trained to use criminal  force  or  violence,  against  any  religious,  racial, language  or  regional  group  or  caste  or  community  and such activity for any reason whatsoever causes or is likely  to  cause fear or alarm or a feeling of insecurity amongst members  of such religious,  racial,  language  or  regional  group  or  caste  or community,]
shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to  three  years, or with fine, or with both.
(2) Offence committed in place  of worship, etc.--Whoever commits an offence specified in sub-section  (1) in any place of worship or in any  assembly  engaged  in  the  performance  of  religious worship or religious ceremonies,  shall  be  punished with imprisonment which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to fine.]
153B.
Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration.

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