By: Aaqil Baizhan)*
The community rejects the acts of intolerance that are still happening in Indonesia. This action will create division of the nation considering that Indonesia is a multicultural country.
When it became independent in 1945, Indonesia already had the concept of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, different but one. Differences in ethnicity and others are not a barrier to unite and build this country. However, decades later, the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika began to fade and was replaced by intolerance that was breathed by certain elements.
When there is intolerance, it is sad because the majority bully the minority. Even though it is a big mistake because everyone should respect each other, not attack minorities and act intolerantly, as if he was the one who was the most self-righteous.
Cases of intolerance can also occur in schools because students come from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and beliefs. There are also those who are offended because they want to celebrate the holiday but are instead rejected by the surrounding environment, the reason is again because they are in the minority. This is very sad because previously Indonesians were known to be tolerant, but now it seems as if something has changed 180 degrees.
To reject intolerance, there needs to be resistance from the community. The reason is that if it is not stopped, it will become even more crazy, or it could be that someone deliberately creates hoaxes so that the short axis gets angry and then becomes more intolerant of other parties. They did it on purpose to destroy the peace in this country.
Rival Rianda, coordinator of the Love Damai West Kalimantan Community Movement, stated that intolerance and radicalism are increasingly massive in spreading to society. They are made uneasy because there are groups who justify their own opinions and then resort to violence, arguing that the other party is wrong. Even though this violence is dangerous because it can cause injury to the victim.
Intolerant groups do not understand that differences are common in society. Indonesia is a diverse country, so it is natural that there are different ethnicities, races, and beliefs. Radical groups cannot act intolerantly by justifying their opinions and forbidding other people from having fun during the holidays. They are not allowed to sweep carelessly and remove the fir tree decorations and red hats at will.
To overcome intolerance, the first way is through education. Children should be taught from kindergarten about tolerance and how to continue to be tolerant of others. They must understand that differences are common in society, so they should not impose their opinion.
The students were also taught not to be intolerant and self-serving. In social life, they should act justly and love peace, and should not mock other people who are different. If someone belongs to a minority, they should not be bullied, because both Indonesian citizens have the right to live and carry out normal activities in this country.
The next way to deal with intolerance is by legal means, aka special laws are made, so that if someone acts intolerant, the authorities can immediately take action. Intolerance is a crime because it divides national unity. If there is a legal umbrella, then radical groups will not dare to disrupt and be intolerant in this country.
Intolerance must be eradicated because it can cause division in society. Radical groups who are intolerant must also be expelled from Indonesia, because they do not understand that differences are beautiful and that this country is indeed plural. Meanwhile, they are always arbitrary and often impose opinions, and do not want to tolerate.
)* The author is a contributor to the Press Circle and Cikini Students