IPC 153B to BNS 197: Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration

Section 153B IPC (1860) replaced by Section 197 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 153B →View BNS Section 197 →

IPC 153B to BNS 197 at a Glance

Section 153B IPC (Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) is now Section 197 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is non-bailable and cognizable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 153B to BNS 197?

Section 153B IPC is now Section 197 BNS, with the same title, the same three clauses and the same punishment. Two things are added to sub-section 1. The opening words now include through electronic communication among the ways of making the imputation or assertion, beside words spoken or written, signs and visible representations. A fourth clause, Section 197(1)(d) BNS, punishes making or publishing false or misleading information, jeopardising the sovereignty, unity and integrity or security of India. Sub-section 2 still applies to an offence specified in sub-section 1, so by its words the higher punishment for a place of worship reaches the new clause as well.

IPC 153B vs BNS 197: Comparison Table

Aspect	IPC 1860 (repealed)	BNS 2023 (in force)
Section	153B	197
Offence	Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration	Same
Punishment	Imprisonment for up to three years. If the offence is committed in a place of worship or in an assembly engaged in the performance of religious worship or religious ceremonies, imprisonment for up to five years.	Same
Fine	For the ordinary offence, fine as an alternative to imprisonment or along with it. For the place of worship offence, the offender is also liable to fine.	Same
Bail	Non-Bailable	Same
Cognizance	Cognizable	Same
Compoundable	Non-Compoundable	Same
Triable By	Magistrate of the first class	Same

IPC 153B and BNS 197: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 153B, IPC 1860

153B. Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration.—(1) Whoever, by words either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise,— (a) makes or publishes any imputation that any class of persons cannot, by reason of their being members of any religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community, bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established or uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India, or (b) asserts, counsels, advises, propagates or publishes that any class of persons shall, by reason of their being members of any religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community, be denied, or deprived of their rights as citizens of India, or (c) makes or publishes any assertion, counsel, plea or appeal concerning the obligation of any class of persons, by reason of their being members of any religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community, and such assertion, counsel, plea or appeal causes or is likely to cause disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will between such members and other persons, 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.

BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 197, BNS 2023

(1) Whoever, by words either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic communication or otherwise,— (a) makes or publishes any imputation that any class of persons cannot, by reason of their being members of any religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community, bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established or uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India; or (b) asserts, counsels, advises, propagates or publishes that any class of persons shall, by reason of their being members of any religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community, be denied, or deprived of their rights as citizens of India; or (c) makes or publishes any assertion, counsel, plea or appeal concerning the obligation of any class of persons, by reason of their being members of any religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community, and such assertion, counsel, plea or appeal causes or is likely to cause disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will between such members and other persons; or (d) makes or publishes false or misleading information, jeopardising the sovereignty, unity and integrity or security of India, 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.

Ingredients: IPC 153B vs BNS 197

Under IPC 153B

The accused acts by words spoken or written, by signs, by visible representations or otherwise
Under the first clause, the accused makes or publishes an imputation that a class of persons cannot, by reason of their being members of a religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community, bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India or uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India
Under the second clause, the accused asserts, counsels, advises, propagates or publishes that such a class shall, by reason of their being members of such a group, be denied or deprived of their rights as citizens of India
Under the third clause, the accused makes or publishes an assertion, counsel, plea or appeal concerning the obligation of such a class, and it causes or is likely to cause disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will between those members and other persons
For the heavier punishment, the offence is committed in a place of worship or in an assembly engaged in the performance of religious worship or religious ceremonies

Under BNS 197

The accused acts by words spoken or written, by signs, by visible representations, through electronic communication or otherwise
Clause a: the accused makes or publishes an imputation that a class of persons, by reason of their being members of a religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community, cannot bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India or uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India
Clause b: the accused asserts, counsels, advises, propagates or publishes that such a class shall be denied or deprived of its rights as citizens of India
Clause c: the accused makes or publishes an assertion, counsel, plea or appeal concerning the obligation of such a class, and it causes or is likely to cause disharmony or feelings of enmity or hatred or ill-will between those members and other persons
Clause d, new: the accused makes or publishes false or misleading information, jeopardising the sovereignty, unity and integrity or security of India

What IPC 153B to BNS 197 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 153B IPC (now Section 197 BNS): charges for acts done after the BNS came into force cite Section 197 BNS and name the clause. The opening words now name electronic communication, and clause d is a head of its own for false or misleading information jeopardising the sovereignty, unity and integrity or security of India. The punishment is unchanged at up to three years, or fine, or both, and up to five years with liability to fine where the offence is committed in a place of worship or in an assembly engaged in religious worship or religious ceremonies.

FAQs: IPC 153B to BNS 197

What changed when Section 153B IPC became Section 197 BNS?▼

Section 197 BNS keeps the title, the three clauses and the punishment of Section 153B IPC. It adds through electronic communication to the ways of acting and a new clause d on false or misleading information jeopardising the sovereignty, unity and integrity or security of India.

Where does Section 153B IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 197 BNS, in Chapter XI, Of Offences Against the Public Tranquillity.

Does Section 153B IPC or Section 197 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 153B IPC. Section 358 BNS repealed the IPC from 1 July 2024 but saves any liability already incurred under it, so an act done before that date is still dealt with under Section 153B IPC. Section 197 BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·