Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person
Full Text
Whoever, with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person, utters any word or makes any sound in the hearing of that person or makes any gesture in the sight of that person or places any object in the sight of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
Plain English Summary
Prohibits uttering words, making sounds, gesturing, or placing objects in the sight/hearing of any person with the deliberate intent of wounding their religious feelings.
Key Legal Elements
- Deliberate intention to wound the religious feelings of a specific person
- Uttering a word or making a sound in that person's hearing
- Making a gesture or placing an object in that person's sight
Punishment
Imprisonment up to 1 year, or fine, or both
Practical Note
IMPORTANT: While Section 302 of the IPC was famously the charge for murder, BNS Section 302 is for wounding religious feelings (replaces IPC 298). Murder is now under BNS Section 103. The prosecution must prove deliberate intention; casual or accidental remarks are excluded.
हिंदी पाठ
जो कोई किसी व्यक्ति की धार्मिक भावनाओं को ठेस पहुंचाने के विमर्शित आशय से उस व्यक्ति की श्रुति-गोचरता में कोई शब्द उच्चारित करेगा या कोई ध्वनि करेगा, या उस व्यक्ति की दृष्टि-गोचरता में कोई चेष्टा करेगा या कोई वस्तु रखेगा, वह दोनों में से किसी भांति के कारावास से, जिसकी अवधि एक वर्ष तक की हो सकेगी, या जुर्माने से, या दोनों से, दण्डित किया जाएगा।