IPC Section 153A: Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 8: Offences against the Public Tranquillity
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
¶1[(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, 2[or]
¶2[(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.
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¶1. Subs. by Act 35 of 1969, s. 2, for section 153A.
¶2. Ins. by Act 31 of 1972, s. 2.
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNS 196 (same provision). IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28), p13
Official reference: Delhi District & Sessions Judge: government historical reference — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-06-30.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately. Historical code retained for reference; read the repeal/savings provisions in the successor code.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 141. Unlawful assembly
- 142. Being member of unlawful assembly
- 143. Punishment
- 144. Joining unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapon
- 145. Joining or continuing in unlawful assembly, knowing it has been commanded to disperse
- 146. Rioting
- 147. Punishment for rioting
- 148. Rioting, armed with deadly weapon
- 149. Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object
- 150. Hiring, or conniving at hiring, of persons to join unlawful assembly
- 151. Knowingly joining or continuing in assembly of five or more persons after it has been commanded to disperse
- 152. Assaulting or obstructing public servant when suppressing riot, etc
- 153. Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot-if rioting be committed-if not committed
- 153AA. Punishment for knowingly carrying arms in any procession or organising, or holding or taking part in any mass drill or mass training with arms
- 153B. Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national-integration
- 154. Owner or occupier of land on which an unlawful assembly is held
- 155. Liability of person for whose benefit riot is committed
- 156. Liability of agent of owner of occupier for whose benefit riot is committed
- 157. Harbouring persons hired for an unlawful assembly
- 158. Being hired to take part in an unlawful assembly or riot
- 159. Affray
- 160. Punishment for committing affray