Catholic Scholars Urge State to Guarantee Religious Freedom After Tasikmalaya Incident

The Indonesian Catholic Scholars Association (ISKA) has voiced strong concerns regarding an alleged act of violence against the residents of Padepokan Saung Taraju Jumantara in Tasikmalaya, urging the government to uphold its commitment to religious freedom. This incident, which occurred on April 7, 2026, has cast a shadow over Indonesia's cherished principles of harmony and diversity.

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Tindakan destruktif terhadap ruang-ruang fisik serta pemaksaan kehendak terhadap keyakinan batiniah warga negara bukan saja mencederai semangat kerukunan

Restu Hapsari, Presidium of ISKA's Inter-Religious and Belief Relations Dialogue, stated that such destructive acts against spiritual spaces and the imposition of beliefs on citizens not only damage the spirit of harmony but also disregard the rich tapestry of Indonesian culture. ISKA views the spiritual practices, described as syncretism and allegedly followed by the padepokan residents, as an integral part of the Nusantara's cultural heritage. The organization emphasizes that attempts to preserve ancestral traditions, like the Sundanese Pikukuh teachings alongside religious practices, represent a form of inculturation that has been a hallmark of Indonesia for centuries.

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Stigmatisasi dan penghakiman sepihak terhadap ekspresi spiritualitas warga negara tidak memiliki tempat dalam sebuah masyarakat yang beradab dan berakal budi

ISKA believes that the stigmatization and unilateral judgment of citizens' spiritual expressions have no place in a civilized society. The association points to a lack of diversity literacy and past social trauma as potential underlying factors for the threats and violence experienced by the padepokan residents. Furthermore, ISKA referenced the Constitutional Court Decision Number 97/PUU-XIV/2016, asserting that it should serve as a foundation for protecting all citizens, irrespective of their beliefs. The state, ISKA argues, must not allow citizens in remote areas to live in fear simply for choosing to uphold their spiritual traditions.

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Negara tidak boleh membiarkan warga di pelosok perdesaan hidup dalam bayang-bayang ketakutan hanya karena memilih untuk menghidupi tradisi spiritualitasnya

In response to the incident, ISKA has called upon law enforcement agencies to act decisively and wisely, preventing any complacency in cases of belief-based violence. The organization also extended an invitation to the wider community and interfaith leaders to prioritize dialogue over confrontation when addressing differences in belief. ISKA concludes that Indonesia's national unity can only remain strong if it provides a safe space for every individual to grow according to their beliefs, thereby fostering a more humane and dignified nation.

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Kebangsaan kita hanya akan tetap kokoh jika kita mampu menjaga ruang hidup yang aman bagi setiap jiwa untuk bertumbuh sesuai dengan keyakinannya, demi mewujudkan Indonesia yang lebih humanis dan bermartabat