An Academic Atmosphere Polluted by Threats

  That Irshad Manji was denied permission to set foot for the second time on the grounds of Gadjah Mada University (May 9, 2012) must make us, especially those of us in academia, think again. There is no need to hide the fact that the cancellation of this event was precipitated by threats from some mass organizations, although it is not always clear exactly who they are.   Doesn’t this make us think about the future of the academic environment here at Gadjah Mada University? What if at some point there are similar objections from two, three or even thirty mass organizations about other issues that people don’t agree on? For example, what if the topic is the possibility of resolving the conflict in Papua? Or a seminar on the causes of the disastrous Lapindo mudslide in Sidoarjo? Or combating corruption and the role of the Anti-Corruption Committee? Or other such... [see detail]