IPC 298 → BNS 302: Wounding Religious Feelings

Quick Summary: IPC 298 vs BNS 302

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, in force since 1 July 2024, has replaced the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860. IPC 298 (Wounding Religious Feelings) is one of the IPC's offences relating to religion — injuring places of worship and deliberately wounding religious feelings — retained by the BNS as BNS 302. Because wounding religious feelings balances public order with freedom of expression, deliberate intent is central to the offence.

What did IPC 298 cover?

IPC 298 dealt with wounding religious feelings — uttering, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person. Until 30 June 2024, every FIR and criminal trial for this offence was registered and prosecuted under this provision of the Indian Penal Code 1860.

BNS 302: What changed in the new law?

Includes sounds, gestures etc.. From 1 July 2024, new complaints relating to wounding religious feelings are filed under BNS Section 302, while cases registered earlier continue under the old IPC provision as per the saving clause of the BNS.

Punishment under BNS 302

Same - Up to 1 year

Practical implications for advocates, police & citizens

• Advocates: For wounding religious feelings, deliberate and malicious intent is the core ingredient — ensure the charge under BNS 302 is supported by that intent rather than mere offence taken.
• Police officers: Capture the deliberate intent and the resulting disturbance in the wounding religious feelings matter; register under BNS 302.
• Law students & citizens: The wounding religious feelings offence requires a deliberate intention to outrage religious feelings — accidental or good-faith acts are treated differently.