Act Endangering Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India
Replaces the colonial-era sedition law (old IPC Section 124A). Covers purposely or knowingly exciting, or attempting to excite, secession, armed rebellion, or subversive activities, or encouraging separatist feelings, or endangering India's sovereignty, unity or integrity — by words (spoken or written), signs, visible representation, electronic communication, or use of financial means.
- Explicitly covers financial means and electronic communication as methods — a deliberate expansion beyond the old law's wording.
- Punishable with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment up to 7 years, plus a fine.
This is meant to target genuine incitement to secession or armed rebellion — critics and civil-liberties groups have raised concern that its broad wording could still be used against ordinary political dissent, similar to concerns raised about the old sedition law it replaces; how courts interpret its limits is still developing.
Related law
The constitutional right to free speech this section has to be read alongside
Keep exploring
Terrorist Act
Mostly relevant as background context for how India's criminal law is now structured — this is not a provision an ordinary citizen is likely to encounter directly, but it's worth knowing it now exists in the main code, not just a special law.
Promoting Enmity Between Groups
Deliberately inciting communal or group hatred — including online — is a specific criminal offence, separate from and often charged alongside rioting or mob-lynching-related offences.
This is a plain-English summary, not verbatim statutory text. Adhikar is an independent citizen-awareness platform, not a Government of India website. Always verify against the bare Act (legislative.gov.in) or a qualified advocate before relying on this for an actual legal situation.