Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of citizens of India, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic means or otherwise, insults or attempts to insult the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.
Section 299 BNS: Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs
- Corresponding IPC
- Section 295A IPC
- Punishment
- Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both
- Note
- Text now expressly covers insult through electronic means.
Classification of offence
| Section | Cognizable? | Bailable? | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 299 | Cognizable | Non-bailable | Magistrate of the first class |
As per the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Bare Act text
Text as enacted in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 45 of 2023), in force from 1 July 2024. Source: India Code, Government of India.
In simple words
Punishes deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens of India by insulting or attempting to insult its religion or religious beliefs, through words, signs, visible representations or electronic means.
Chapter XVI: Of Offences Relating To Religion
- 298 Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion of any class
- 299 Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs
- 300 Disturbing religious assembly
- 301 Trespassing on burial places, etc
- 302 Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person