Bandung has long been called the city of students, a hub of intellectual life and civic engagement. Yet the night of September 1, 2025, laid bare a jarring contradiction. On one side, the Governor of West Java was busy showcasing photo opportunities, treating demonstrators to food and drinks in a gesture of magnanimity. On the other, security forces under his watch turned university grounds into battlegrounds, firing tear gas into Unisba and Unpas, and assaulting not only students but also medical volunteers. To subscribe please click here
