Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 298
repealedUttering words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings
Whoever, with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person, utters any word or makes any sound in the hearing of that person or makes any gesture in the sight of that person or places any object in the sight of that person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
Why this exists
This section protects an individual's religious sentiments from deliberate, targeted insults in everyday interactions, distinct from the offence involving outraging an entire class of citizens' religious feelings. It requires proof of deliberate intent to wound, guarding against casual or accidental offence being treated as criminal. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, this offence continues under a renumbered section.