Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.

1[Whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of 2 [citizens of India], 3 [by words, either spoken or written, or or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise], insults or attempts to insult the religion or the religious beliefs of that class, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 4 [three years], or with fine, or with both.]

¹ Ins. by Act 25 of 1927, s. 2.

² Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for “His Majesty’s subjects”.

³ Subs. by Act 41 of 1961, s. 3, for certain words (w.e.f. 27 -9-1961).

⁴ Subs. by Act 41 of 1961, s. 3, for “two years”.