IPC 153B vs BNS 153B
● Retained in BNSImputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration
Section 153B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, criminalizes imputations or assertions that are prejudicial to national integration. It specifically targets speech, writings, or representations that can weaken the unity and integrity of India.
Key points of IPC 153B:
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Covers statements that imply any community or group cannot bear allegiance to the Constitution of India.
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Penalizes claims that deny rights of any group as citizens of India.
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Punishment: imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both (5 years if committed in a place of worship or during religious activity).
For example, if someone publicly asserts that a religious group is not loyal to the Constitution or does not belong to India, it falls under IPC 153B.
This section ensures that divisive propaganda aimed at weakening national unity is discouraged and punished, thereby protecting the idea of India as one nation.
Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration
Section 153B of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, corresponds to IPC 153B, retaining the offence of making statements prejudicial to national integration.
Key points of BNS 153B:
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Criminalizes imputations suggesting that citizens of certain groups cannot be loyal to India.
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Punishes denial of full citizenship rights to any community.
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Punishment remains: up to 3 years imprisonment, or fine, or both (5 years in case of religious places or assemblies).
For instance, if a leader declares that members of a linguistic or religious group do not belong to India, he can be prosecuted under BNS 153B.
The section emphasizes the principle of unity in diversity, ensuring no group is alienated through public discourse. It acts as a safeguard against narratives that seek to disrupt national harmony.
What changed?
This provision was carried over to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita with substantially the same wording — the section was renumbered from IPC IPC 153B to BNS BNS 153B.