Section 300 BNS: Disturbing religious assembly
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 300 BNS at a Glance
Section 300 BNS deals with disturbing religious assembly. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; it replaced Section 296 IPC on 1 July 2024.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year.
Section 300 BNS Bare Act Text
300. Disturbing religious assembly
Whoever voluntarily causes disturbance to any assembly lawfully engaged in the performance of religious worship, or religious ceremonies, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
Source: Section 300, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 300 BNS in Simple Words
Section 300 BNS of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with conduct that disturbs a lawful religious assembly. It applies when a person intentionally causes annoyance or disruption to a gathering held for religious worship or ceremony. The focus is on the deliberate nature of the act.
A mere accident or ordinary noise is not enough. This provision can apply to anyone who creates a disturbance at a place or time where people are assembled for religious purposes. The law is meant to protect the peace and dignity of worship.
In practice, it is used where someone knowingly interrupts prayers, a religious service, or another religious gathering in a way that affects the assembly. Since the punishment is limited, the section is usually seen as a minor offence, but it still matters because it protects public order and religious harmony.
Ingredients of Section 300 BNS
- Lawful engagement of an assembly in religious worship or religious ceremonies
- Voluntary causing of disturbance to that assembly by the accused
Punishment Under Section 300 BNS
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year.
The court may impose fine alone, or fine in addition to imprisonment. The section sets no maximum fine.
Under Section 300 BNS, voluntarily causing disturbance to an assembly lawfully engaged in religious worship or ceremonies is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to one year, or fine, or both.
Example of Section 300 BNS
When Section 300 BNS Does Not Apply
- The gathering was not lawfully engaged in the performance of religious worship or religious ceremonies
- The accused did not voluntarily cause disturbance to the assembly
Section 300 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)
Section 300 BNS replaces Section 296 IPC from the old criminal code.
Section 296 IPC is now Section 300 BNS. The title, the wording of the offence and the punishment of imprisonment for up to one year, or fine, or both are identical in substance.
View IPC Section 296 →FAQs on Section 300 BNS
What does Section 300 BNS punish?▼
It punishes the voluntary disturbance of a lawful religious assembly. The law is aimed at protecting worshippers from deliberate interruption or annoyance during religious worship or ceremonies.
Is the offence under Section 300 BNS bailable?▼
Yes, it is bailable. That means the accused can usually get bail as a matter of right, subject to the usual legal process.
Does every disruption at a temple, mosque, church, or gurdwara fall under Section 300 BNS?▼
No. There must be proof that the person voluntarily disturbed an assembly lawfully engaged in religious worship or ceremonies. A casual misunderstanding or unintentional act will not normally be enough.
What is the punishment under Section 300 BNS?▼
The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or fine, or both. Courts look at the facts and the seriousness of the disruption before deciding sentence.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·