Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 295
repealedInjuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class
Whoever destroys, damages or defiles any place of worship, or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intention of thereby insulting the religion of any class of persons or with the knowledge that any class of persons is likely to consider such destruction, damage or defilement as an insult to their religion, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Why this exists
Religious sites and sacred objects hold deep emotional and communal significance in a religiously diverse society, and attacks on them can trigger serious social unrest. This section protects the physical integrity of places of worship and sacred objects specifically when the act is meant, or known to be likely, to insult a religious community. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, this offence continues under a renumbered section.