By: Alif Fikri)*
Radicalism is still a common threat that should be watched out for. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the values of Pancasila to stem this forbidden understanding, including in the world of education.
Radical groups are eager to remain entrenched in Indonesia. They target all walks of life, from adults to students. The goal is for the regeneration to be more widespread and more and more to support them.
It’s sad when campuses are ‘attacked’ by radical groups, because students are future leaders of the nation. If the majority of students have been radical since the first semester, when they become undergraduates they will be even more radical. When they become officials or hold important responsibilities in institutions, they will spread radicalism.
For this reason, radicalism is always eradicated in the campus environment. The University of Indonesia is trying to fortify students (and lecturers) from the dangers of radicalism by strengthening the values of Pancasila. The way to do this is by teaching religious subjects, which will be added to the knowledge of Pancasila.
Pancasila and religion are not opposites because they are intertwined. A person who is religious will always implement Pancasila because he is obedient to his God and acts fairly to fellow human beings, including those with different beliefs.
Another way to eradicate radicalism is the construction of houses of worship within UI, not just one but up to five beliefs recognized by the government. In this way, students will have a high sense of tolerance, because they are used to seeing friends who have other beliefs enter and worship in that place.
Tolerance is indeed the key to eradicating radicalism. The reason is because if students already have radicalism, then they will respect each other. Not only to classmates who have the same beliefs, but also to others who have different beliefs.
This difference is not an obstacle to unity, because before the independence era, there were already various differences. However, we are still independent as well and become united over these differences, and never make a problem with it.
If students realize that differences are beautiful then they will not be easily exposed to radicalism (both from campus and outside). The reason is because radical groups are too extreme by only believing in one thing and blaming all parties who are different from it. This of course cannot be tolerated because they always act intolerantly.
Students must be kept away from radicalism, because they are the future leaders of the nation. If they are anti-radicalism and realize that differences are beautiful, then later if they become state officials, they will act wisely. They are not easy to judge, but understand that in Indonesia there is pluralism.
Apart from students, lecturers also need to be kept away from radicalism. Do not let them turn out to be members of a radical group and then spread radicalism to students. It will be chaotic because it will spread, like a dangerous virus. Lecturers are also obliged to remember that they must not be exposed to radicalism, because they will be threatened with dismissal from the campus (especially if they are ASN status).
Strengthening the value of Pancasila in the campus area really needs to be done to dispel radicalism. The reason is because if all students and lecturers implement Pancasila, then they will realize that Indonesia consists of many tribes and there are six beliefs that are recognized by the government.
Strengthening the values of Pancasila becomes a bulwark to protect so that radicalism does not spread on campus. Pancasila courses need to be given so that all of them implement Pancasila. It is strictly forbidden for students and lecturers to be exposed to radicalism, because this understanding is dangerous for national unity.
)* The author is a contributor to Pertiwi Institute
