Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday said it would initiate enactment of blasphemy law' to prevent anti-religious publicities or criticism of religion in books, newspapers or electronic media and pun ish those responsible, if the BNP-led four-party alliance is voted to power.

Jamaat, a key component of the four-party combine, in its election manifesto said it would strengthen the liberation war ministry and the Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust and increase allowances for the freedom fighters' families.

Jamaat Ameer Motiur

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Rahman Nizami announced the party's election manifesto at its Moghbazar office in the capital.

"All will enjoy religious rights, but criticism or making bad remarks about others' religions is not acceptable. There is blasphemy law in the United Kingdom... and nothing is wrong about it, " the Jamaat chief said while replying to a query.

Party Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid and other leaders were also present.

Hie party vvilling to establish a rule in the country based on the ideals of Islam said it would initiate measures to spread the ideals of Islam through all mediums, including radio, television and newspapers.

"Forkania madrasa and mosque-based mass educa-

tion will be given priority. Mass education wall also be introduced in all religious institutions," the Jamaat manifesto reads.

Arrangements will be made to give military training to citizens aged between 20 and 30 gradually under the supervision of the defence forces, it added.

Measures will also be taken to ensure that other religious communities can perform their religious activities freely, Nizami said.

The manifesto, however, did not make it clear how the party would tackle religious militancy or the global financial crisis.

On religious militancy, Nizami said Bangladesh has proved that militancy can be uprooted within the shortest possible time.

Some militants had started their activities in the country

in the name of Islam, but the BNP-Jamaat alliance government resisted them strongly during its tenure, he said.

It was not any Islamic force, but the Naxal that introduced the 'culture of killing' to Bangladesh politics, the Jamaat ameer said.

If the four-party alliance assumes power, Jamaat will take initiatives to make illegal 'destructive activities' like hartal and blockade and restrict teachers and students from practising partisan politics' in educational institutions, reads the party manifesto.

Jamaat also made pledges to increase financial facilities for government employees to free the administration from corruption and make it accountable, strengthen the defence forces, and take steps to uproot terrorism and check corruption.

" Hie education sector will

be given the highest importance," the Jamaat ameer said.

He said if voted to power, his party’ would take steps to amend the constitution for ensuring transfer of power in a peaceful and democratic way.

Nizami said they would strengthen the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, subsidise essential commodities and opt for open market sales to check the price hike of essentials.

Jamaat also made pledges to write off agricultural loans, set up more industries, introduce a wage board for agricultural workers, set up underground rail link and flyovers in the capital to ease traffic congestion

The party said it would also strengthen oil and gas exploration and adopt modern approaches for reducing poverty and ensuring social safety.