Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person
Section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person. 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 d The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.
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.
Section 302, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023).
Replaces a provision of the Indian Penal Code
IPC 298 Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings Close, with changes 78%
Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.
Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.
How this offence is classified
From the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which classifies every offence under the Sanhita. Cognizable means a police officer may arrest without warrant; bailable means bail is a matter of right rather than of the court's discretion.
| Offence | Punishment | Cognizable | Bailable | Triable by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings. | Imprisonment for 1 year, or fine, or both. | Non-cognizable. | Bailable. | Any Magistrate. |
Questions about Section 302
What does Section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deal with?
Section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is headed "Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings of any person". 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 d
Is Section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita bailable?
Bailable, under the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
Is Section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita cognizable?
Non-cognizable. "Cognizable" means a police officer may arrest without warrant; "non-cognizable" that they may not. An offence under this section is triable by Any Magistrate.
How do I find court cases under Section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: BNS 302, section 302 BNS, section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. People searching for it also type bns 302(2) and bns 302 punishment. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
What should I read with Section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and has it changed?
It carries forward IPC 298 (Uttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings), so the judgments decided under that provision are the case law on this one.
When did Section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?
Section 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 302, came into force on 01 Jul 2024, having been enacted on 25 Dec 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 2. Definitions2199 words
- 356. Defamation1543 words
- 335. Making a false document1318 words
- 101. Murder1177 words
- 303. Theft1104 words
- 3. General explanations858 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.