IPC 295 vs BNS 295
● Retained in BNSInjuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion
Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, deals with injuring, defiling, or desecrating a place of worship, religious symbols, or objects with the intent to insult a religion. This provision aims to protect religious sentiments and maintain communal harmony by criminalizing deliberate acts of disrespect toward religious practices.
Key points:
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Applies to anyone who intentionally injures, defiles, or desecrates places of worship or religious symbols.
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The act must be done with the intent to insult or offend the religion of any class of people.
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Punishment: Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.
Example: Vandalizing a temple or church to insult the religion falls under IPC 295. The law ensures respect for religious beliefs and prevents communal tensions.
Injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion
Section 295 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, mirrors IPC 295. It punishes any individual who injures, defiles, or desecrates a place of worship, religious symbols, or objects intending to insult a religion.
Key points:
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Covers acts targeting religious sites, symbols, or objects of reverence with malicious intent.
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No accidental damage is covered; intent to insult is required.
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Punishment: Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both (same as IPC).
Example: Deliberately spraying paint on a mosque or defacing religious statues to insult a community would be liable under BNS 295. This ensures protection of religious sentiments and communal 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 295 to BNS BNS 295.