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THE RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS (PREVENTION OF MISUSE) ACT, 1988
No. 41 of 1988
[11th September, 1988]
An Act to prevent the misuse of religious institutions for political and other purposes.
Be it enacted by Parliament in the Thirty-ninth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-
Short title, extent and commencement. 1. (1) This Act may be called the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988.
(2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
(3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 26th day of May, 1988.
Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
- (a) "ammunition" shall have the same meaning as in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Arms Act, 195954 of 1959.;
- (b) "arms” shall have the same meaning as in clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Arms Act, 195954 of 1959.;
- (c) "manager”, in relation to a religious institution, means every person, including any religious functionary (by whatever name called), who, for the time being, either alone or in association with other persons, administers, manages or otherwise controls the affairs of that institution, its functions or properties;
- (d) "political activity” includes any activity promoting or propagating the aims or objects of a 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 or decrees, or by any other means, and includes also such activity by or on behalf of a person seeking election as a candidate for any election to Parliament, any State Legislature or any local authority;
- (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 a political party under the Election
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