Jamaat-e-Islami manifesto bats for anti-hate law, campus polls and liquor ban

The Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday released its manifesto for the upcoming elections, placing social harmony, institutional accountability and basic amenities at the centre of its campaign.

Addressing a press conference, State president Mohamed Haneefa unveiled a “People’s Manifesto”, outlining proposals ranging from a stringent law against hate crimes to electoral reforms in educational institutions and measures to ease the burden on economically weaker sections.

Mr. Haneefa said the party would press for a dedicated legislation to curb hate crimes. The proposed Act should target those who instigated communal hatred at the grassroots and ensure swift and impartial action against offenders.

He also called for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Police Commission, stressing that the police force must be strengthened with personnel who were skilled, humane and unbiased, and that minorities should receive due representation in recruitment.

On social issues, the manifesto advocated a complete ban on liquor and other addictive substances in the State, arguing that prohibition was essential to safeguard youth and steer them away from substance abuse.

The organisation also underscored the need to conduct elections in colleges and universities in a structured manner, contending that the current trend of depoliticising campuses weakens democratic engagement among students. Restoring student elections would nurture leadership and participatory politics.

Among its key economic proposals, the party called for electricity bills to be collected on a monthly basis and for tariffs to be rationalised to reduce the burden on the poor and middle class. It further proposed the establishment of an independent anti-corruption body modelled on Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.