Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) applies when a person engages in speech, writings, electronic communication, or actions that promote enmity, hatred, or ill-will between different religious, racial, linguistic, or regional groups, castes, or communities.
It also covers acts that disturb public harmony or create insecurity among communities.
Offenses Under This Section:
Promoting enmity or hatred through speech, writing, signs, electronic communication, or other means on the basis of religion, race, place of birth, language, caste, or community.
Committing acts that disrupt social harmony and create public disorder or unrest.
Organizing or participating in training for violence against any religious, racial, linguistic, or regional group, knowing that it may cause fear, alarm, or insecurity.
Punishment:
Whoever commits this offense shall be punished with imprisonment of up to three years, or with a fine, or both.
If the offense is committed in a place of worship or during a religious gathering, the punishment extends to five years of imprisonment and a fine.
How It Protects:
This section ensures social harmony by preventing communal hatred, violence, and divisive actions.
It holds individuals accountable for spreading enmity and discourages activities that incite violence against specific groups.
Example:
If a person delivers a speech inciting violence between religious communities, they are guilty under this section.
Similarly, if someone conducts a training camp to instigate violence against a particular community, they can be prosecuted.
