IPC Section 153A - Promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth,

153A. Promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth,

residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.--(1) Whoever--

(a) by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise,

promotes or attempts to promote, on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language,

caste or community or a ny other ground whatsoever, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill -

will between different religious, racials, language or regional groups or castes or communities, or

(b) commits any act which is prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony between d ifferent

religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities, and which disturbs or is likely

to disturb the public tranquillity, 1[or]

1[(c) organizes any exercise, movement, drill or other similar activity intending that the

participants in such activity shall use or be trained to use criminal force or violence or knowing it to

be likely that the participants in such activity will use or be trained to use criminal force or violence,

or participates in such activity intending to use or be trained to use criminal force or violence or

knowing it to be likely that the participants in such activity will use or be trained to use criminal force

or violence, against any religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community and suc h

activity for any reason whatsoever causes or is likely to cause fear or alarm or a feeling of insecurity

amongst members of such religious, racial, language or regional group or caste or community,]

shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

(2) Offence commi tted in place of worship, etc .--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.]

2[153AA. Punishment for knowingly carrying arms in any procession or organising, or holding

or taking part in any mass drill or mass training with arms.--Whoever knowingly carries arms in any

procession or organizes or holds or takes part in any mass drill or mass training with arms in any public

place in contravention of any public notice or order i ssued or made under s ection 144A of the Code of

Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend

to six months and with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.

Explanation.-- "Arms" means articles of any description designed or adapte d as weapons for offence

or defence and includes firearms, sharp edged weapons, lathis, dandas and sticks].