Lecturer In Jakarta Apologizes To Hindus For Alleged Religious Harassment

Chairman of Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) Maj. Gen. TNI (Ret.) Wisnu Bawa Tenaya (third from left) in Jakarta. (Agus Salim / Antara)

JAKARTA - A lecturer at a private university in Jakarta, Made Darmawati, apologized to Hindus for allegations of religious abuse conveyed through a lecture.

"After paying attention to input, suggestions and criticism from various parties, with full awareness and humility I acknowledge and realize that my statement has hurt the community or Hindus and Hindu leaders as well as the harmonious lives of religious people in our society. "With humility I would like to apologize to the whole community or Hindus and Hindu religious leaders as well as all Indonesian people," he said as quoted by Antara, Monday, April 19.

Made Darmawati's clarification and apology was delivered at a special meeting at the Pura Mustika Dharma complex, Cijantung, East Jakarta, Saturday, April 17 evening, witnessed by the Director General of Hindu Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Tri Handoko Seto, General Chairperson of Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) Wisnu Bawa Tenaya, Rector of Uhamka Gunawan Suryoputro, as well as representatives from the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (PMK).

Video of Made Darmawati's lectures on various social media platforms tells of her experience when she embraced Hinduism, several years ago.

Although it did not trigger a polemic, the entrepreneurship lecturer admitted that he did not intend to insult or demean Hindu teachings.

“I do not intend and have no intention of insulting and making fun of Hinduism and Hindu society or people. This is due solely to my weakness and negligence, "he said.

Made Darmawati stated that he is ready to take responsibility, including the legal consequences, but he hopes that the community can accept his apology and resolve the matter in a friendly manner.

"This apology without any coercion from any party and this incident has made me realize not to repeat it again and become a lesson," said Made Darmawati.

PHDI General Chairperson Wisnu Bawa Tenaya said that his party wholeheartedly accepted the apologies from Made Darmawati. "Let us also respect each other. We are also committed if it is a publicity problem, then we will immediately solve it in a good way," he said.

The Director General of Hindu Guidance at the Ministry of Religion Tri Handoko Seto welcomed Made Darmawati's move, who was willing to apologize to the leaders and all Hindus for the content of her lecture which was considered to contain blasphemy. He also hopes that Hindus will resolve this issue both carefully and in a dignified manner.

"I really hope of course we all have an obligation to forgive each other. Especially in relations between religious communities, we must maintain harmony so that this does not drag on in the future, disturbing our activities, taking up a lot of our resources, and worse causing divisions between religious communities, "he said.