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BNS Section 196

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 through electronic communication 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 tranquility; or
(c) organises 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) 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.


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Key Points of BNS-196

1. Promoting Enmity:
 

  • Scope: This section addresses any act that promotes enmity or hatred between groups based on religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste, or community.
     

  • Forms of Promotion: It includes spoken or written words, signs, visible representations, electronic communication, or any other means.
     

2. Acts Disturbing Public Harmony:
 

  • Public Tranquility: Committing acts that disturb or are likely to disturb public peace or harmony between different groups is an offense under this section.
     

  • Criminal Activities: Organizing or participating in exercises, drills, or movements intended for or likely to involve violence or criminal force against any group also falls under this section.
     

3. Penalties:
 

  • General Penalty: The punishment for promoting enmity or engaging in acts that disturb harmony can extend up to three years of imprisonment, a fine, or both.
     

  • Aggravated Penalty: If the offense occurs in a place of worship or during religious ceremonies, the imprisonment can extend up to five years, along with a fine.


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


Punishment : Imprisonment for 3 years, or fine, or both.


Cognizable or Non-cognizable : Cognizable.


Bailable or Non-bailable : Non-bailable.


By what Court triable : Magistrate of the first class.


Offence : Promoting enmity between classes in place of worship, etc.


Punishment : Imprisonment for 5 years and fine.


Cognizable or Non-cognizable : Cognizable.


Bailable or Non-bailable : Non-bailable.


By what Court triable : Magistrate of the first class.




Explore the comprehensive list of all sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Our detailed guide provides a complete overview of each section to help you understand Indian law better.


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