IPC 153B - Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration

Description of IPC 153B

Description of IPC Section 153B According to section 153B of Indian penal code, Whoever, by words either spoken or written or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise: 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 asserts, counsels, advises, propagates or publishes that any class of persons 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 makes or publishes and 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. 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. IPC 153B

Offence	Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration
Punishment	3 Years or Fine or Both
Cognizance	Cognizable
Bail	Non-bailable
Triable	Magistrate Court

Who is Liable: Any person who, by words, signs, or representations, makes or publishes statements suggesting that certain groups are incapable of allegiance to the Constitution, or that they should be deprived of their rights as Indian citizens. Act Prohibited: Making statements that question the loyalty of certain groups to the Indian Constitution. Propagating that certain groups should be deprived of their rights based on religion, race, or other grounds. Asserting or appealing in a way that causes disharmony or fear among members of a particular group.
Imprisonment up to 3 Years: For making or publishing such statements. Imprisonment up to 5 Years: If the offense is committed in a place of worship or during religious ceremonies. Fine: The offender may also be fined. Both: Both imprisonment and fine may be imposed.

IPC 153B in Simple Words

Section 153B of the Indian Penal Code punishes those who make or publish statements that promote disharmony or hatred between different religious, racial, language, or regional groups, with imprisonment up to three years or a fine, and imprisonment up to five years with fine if the offence is committed in a place of worship or during religious ceremonies.

Importance and Practical application

IPC Section 153B is essential for upholding national integration and unity by criminalizing statements that question the loyalty of certain groups to the Indian Constitution or suggest they should be deprived of their rights. It prevents the spread of divisive or prejudicial rhetoric, protecting the rights and dignity of all citizens and reinforcing the principle of equal allegiance to the nation.

Practical application:

Examples: Publicly claiming that a particular religious group cannot be loyal to the Indian state. Legal Consequences: This section ensures that no group is unfairly targeted or maligned, safeguarding national unity.

Conclusion

IPC Section 153B targets statements and assertions that harm national integration, with similar penalties of up to three or five years of imprisonment based on where the offense occurs.