of the Arms Act; 1959 (54 of 1959); 'manager" in relation to religious institu — AMENDING ACT

section 2 of the Arms Act; 1959 (54 of 1959); 'manager" in relation to 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; "political activity" includes any activity promoting O propagating the aims Or objects of political party or any cause, issue or question of a political nature by organising meetings, demonstrations, processions, collection O disbursement of funds, or by the issue of directions O 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 o any local authority; (e "political party" means an association or body of persons (i) which is, o is deemed to be, registered, with the Election Commission of India as a political party under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order; 1968, as in force for the time being; or (ii) which has set up candidates for election to any legislature, but is not registered, O1 deemed to be registered, as political party, under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order; 1968; or (iii) organised to carry on any political activity O to acquire Or exercise political power through election or otherwise; "religious institution" means an institution for the promotion of any religion or persuasion, and includes any place Or premises used as place of public religious worship, by whatever name or designation known_ 3. Prohibition of use of religious institutions for certain purposes. ~No religious institution or manager thereof shall use o allow the use of any premises belonging to, or under the control 0f, the institution for the promotion Or propagation of any political activity; Or for the harbouring of any person accused or convicted of an offence under any law for the time being in force; O for the storing of any arms Or ammunition; Or The words except the State of Jammu and Kashmir' omitted by Act 34 of2019, W.e.f: 31-10-2019). 95 and the Sch: for keeping any goods or articles in contravention of any law for the time being in force; or for erecting or putting up of any construction or fortification, including basements, bunkers, towers o walls without a valid licence O permission under any law for the time being in force; Or for the carrying 0 of any unlawful o subversive act prohibited under any law for the time being in force Or in contravention of any order made by any court; O for the doing of any act which promotes or attempts to promote disharmony O feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious, racial, language Or regional groups Or castes or communities; Or for the carrying o of any activity prejudicial to the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India; Or for the doing of any act in contravention of the provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act; 1971 (69 0f1971). 4. Restrictions on carrying arms and ammunition into a religious institution.-~No religious institution or manager thereof shall allow the entry of any arms or ammunition or of any person carrying any arms Or ammunition into the religious institution: Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to the wearing and carrying of a Kirpan by any person professing the Sikh religion; O b any arms which are used, as part of any religious ceremony Or ritual of the institution as established by custom or usage. 5. Prohibition of use of funds of religious institutions for certain activities --No religious institution Or manager thereof shall use or allow the use of any funds or other properties belonging to, O under the control of, the institution for the benefit of any political party or for the purpose of any political activity O for the commission of any act which is punishable as an offence under any law 6. Prohibition of religious for a for propagating political ideas -~No religious institution O manager thereof shall allow any ceremony, festival, congregation, procession O assembly organised or held under its auspices to be used for any political activity. 7. Penalties-_Where any religious institution Or manager thereof contravenes the provisions of

Section Section 2