The Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988

(1) This Act may be called the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988. (2) It extends to the whole of India 1***. (3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 26th day of May, 1988.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, (a) "ammunition" shall have the same meaning as in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section2of the Arms Act, 1959 (54 of 1959); (b) "arms" shall have the same meaning as in clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of theArms Act, 1959 (54 of 1959); (c) "manager", in relation to a religious institution, means every person, including anyreligious functionary (by whatever name called), who, for the time being, either alone or inassociation with other persons, administers, manages or otherwise controls the affairs of thatinstitution, its functions or properties; (d) "political activity" includes any activity promoting or propagating the aims or objects ofa political party or any cause, issue or question of a political nature by organising meetings,demonstrations, processions, collection or disbursement of funds, or by the issue of directions ordecrees, or by any other means, and includes also such activity by or on behalf of a personseeking election as a candidate for any election to Parliament, any State Legislature or any localauthority; (e) "political party" means an association or body of persons (i) which is, or is deemed to be, registered, with the Election Commission of India as apolitical party under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, as inforce for the time being; or (ii) which has set up candidates for election to any legislature, but is not registered, ordeemed to be registered, as a political party, under the Election Symbols (Reservation andAllotment) Order, 1968; or (iii) organised to carry on any political activity or to acquire or exercise political powerthrough election or otherwise; (f) "religious institution" means an institution for the promotion of any religion orpersuasion, and includes any place or premises used as a place of public religious worship, bywhatever name or designation known.

No religious institutionor manager thereof shall use or allow the use of any premises belonging to, or under the control of,the institution (a) for the promotion or propagation of any political activity; or (b) for the harbouring of any person accused or convicted of an offence under any law for thetime being in force; or (c) for the storing of any arms or ammunition; or (d) for keeping any goods or articles in contravention of any law for the time being in force;or (e) for erecting or putting up of any construction or fortification, including basements,bunkers, towers or walls without a valid licence or permission under any law for the time beingin force; or (f) for the carrying on of any unlawful or subversive act prohibited under any law for thetime being in force or in contravention of any order made by any court; or (g) for the doing of any act which promotes or attempts to promote disharmony or feelings ofenmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castesor communities; or (h) for the carrying on of any activity prejudicial to the sovereignty, unity and integrity ofIndia; or (i) for the doing of any act in contravention of the provisions of the Prevention of Insults toNational Honour Act, 1971 (69 of1971).

No religiousinstitution or manager thereof shall allow the entry of any arms or ammunition or of any personcarrying any arms or ammunition into the religious institution: Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to (a) the wearing and carrying of a Kirpan by any person professing the Sikh religion; or (b) any arms which are used, as part of any religious ceremony or ritual of the institution asestablished by custom or usage.

No religiousinstitution or manager thereof shall use or allow the use of any funds or other properties belongingto, or under the control of, the institution for the benefit of any political party or for the purpose ofany political activity or for the commission of any act which is punishable as an offence under anylaw.