Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony

What this section does

Prohibits promoting enmity, disharmony, or ill-will between different religious, racial, linguistic, regional, caste, or community groups through words, signs, electronic communication, or acts prejudicial to public tranquillity, as well as organising or participating in activities intended to train participants in criminal force or violence against such groups. An aggravated offence is committed when the act is done in a place of worship or during religious ceremonies.

AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).

Quick reference

Punishment

Basic offence (s.196(1)): imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both. Aggravated offence in place of worship (s.196(2)): imprisonment up to 5 years and fine.

Triable by

Sessions Court

Cognizable

Yes

Bailable

No

Compoundable

No

Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)

1. The accused promoted or attempted to promote disharmony, enmity, hatred, or ill-will between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, community, or any other ground (s.196(1)(a)); OR
2. Committed an act prejudicial to harmony between such groups that disturbs or is likely to disturb public tranquillity (s.196(1)(b)); OR
3. Organised, participated in, or trained others in exercises or activities intending or knowing it likely that participants would use criminal force or violence against such groups, causing or likely to cause fear or insecurity among members of such groups (s.196(1)(c))
4. For aggravated offence (s.196(2)): the offence was committed in a place of worship or in an assembly engaged in religious worship or ceremonies

• IPC Section 153A — Promoting enmity between groups