Pandangan Mahasiswa Tentang Kekerasan Aparat Terhadap Keamanan di Kampus — Penegakan Hukum atau Pembungkaman?

Abstract

The presence of law enforcement on university campuses has sparked debates about the extent of government authority, particularly regarding maintaining public safety while protecting students’ freedom of expression. In September 2025, during protests in Bandung, police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets near UNISBA and UNPAS. This incident raised questions about whether such actions represented legitimate law enforcement or an attempt to suppress students’ voices. Students strongly criticized the measures, arguing that they were excessive and undermined both democratic rights and the autonomy of academic spaces. This article explores how students perceive the use of force by security forces on campus. It applies a qualitative approach by reviewing existing sources such as media reports, public commentary, and statements from student organizations. The focus is on how students interpret the incident in relation to broader concerns, including the rule of law, human rights, and freedom of expression within educational institutions. Findings indicate that students view the police response as overly repressive and part of a wider trend of restricting student participation in society. The discussion highlights how efforts to preserve order can sometimes conflict with democratic principles, especially in academic environments that are meant to safeguard free thought and speech. The article concludes that this case reveals deeper structural problems in Indonesian policing and calls for a reconsideration of the balance between state security and the protection of student freedoms.