West Java Singaparna people’s resistance to Japan
The struggle of the Singagarna people in West Java against the Japanese in the midst of colonialism is certainly the toughest time for the Indonesian nation, although the struggle never stops. This match is certainly one of the biggest battles in Indonesia to try to repel the invaders.
During the colonial period, of course, there were various things done by the colonizers that made the Indonesian people miserable and tormented. Therefore, various efforts were made to be able to purchase the welfare and independence of the community, especially in the West Java area. It certainly happens with the support of different parties in it.
There was an important figure that later appeared in the case of the West Java Singaparna people’s resistance to the Japanese . With his leadership, more and more people joined forces to use and subdue the various unfriendly attitudes of the attackers, in this case the Japanese at that time.
Denial of movements that trigger fights
When Japan began to control Indonesian territory, not only did it establish its power, but its different cultures were brought to influence the people. You’ve probably heard or read about it too. One of the cultures that Japan also seeks to instill is to pay homage to its flag.
Not only that, but Japan also tried to force the Indonesian people to sing their national anthem. Including a sun-facing greeting in honor of the Japanese emperor or referred to as seikerei. Basically, in the religion that the Japanese people believe, bowing to the sun is a form of respect for the sun god.
This was opposed and rejected by the Indonesian people and became one of the reasons for the resistance of the people of Singaparna West Java against the Japanese at that time. It is certain that the existence of seikerei is also opposed to many existing scholars because it is also similar to the prayer movement. So it further muddies the warm atmosphere at that time, causing major problems between Japan and Indonesia.
There have been many great clerics who oppose the existence of this movement and call on their troops to fight the opposing army. Of course, this was done in order to defend independence and did not want to do what is the religious faith of the Japanese people. But because it is so highlighted, the invading army will consider anyone who does not want to do so as a dissident and deserves to be punished.
Singaparna People’s Resistance to Japanese Politics
One of the clerics who rejected the Seikerie movement at the time was KH Zainal Mustafa. He and all his students of Pesantren Sukamanah clearly refused to do so and sparked the resistance of the people of Singaparna West Java against the Japanese. It also includes saying that for Muslims to do seikerei it is an elusive act and should be avoided.
Of course, KH Zainal Mustafa did not remain silent and watched the Japanese torture anyone who rejected the movement. He began to strategize to increase the force so that he could properly rebel against the Japanese forces. Troops of the students of the pesantren were deployed in order to fight the enemy.
Only before there was resistance between the people of Singaparna West Java against the Japanese, the attackers sent their people to hold talks with KH Zainal Mustafa so that he understood. But it turned out that in the end the Japanese envoy was actually killed and angered the attackers, so they decided to use a harder method.
Until finally, the resistance of the people of Singaparna West Java against the Japanese was no longer inevitable. Although the number of troops is certainly lost a lot, so the opposing army can master the resistance. There were so many troops of the pesanter who were detained by the Japanese and killed for being dissidents and disobeying their orders.
Singaparna people who are anticolonial policies
People in the Singabarna area themselves are actually people who tend to be religious. So the different policies of the colonizers are actually very much against, especially with the various atrocities that have been committed. This is very incompatible with the religious understanding adopted by most Sinlaprina people, namely Islam.
One of the obstacles to the resistance of the people of Singaparna West Java against the Japanese was because of the large number of people who died due to forced labor at that time. Likewise, all Japanese behavior seems inhumane. They have the heart to do everything possible to punish anyone who does not want to obey what has been ordered and is considered a rebel.
Moreover, more and more policies are being pursued by the Japanese side, and there is no reason to reject them. The policy is considered contrary to religious teachings and is coercive. So this causes the people to live miserable lives and do not have the freedom to do so in accordance with the teachings of their religion.
The resistance of the West Java Singagarna people against the Japanese took place in Sukamanah Village for about an hour. The troops led by KH Zainal Mustafa carried swords and pointed bamboo as their weapon. There are combinations besides the pupils, there are also troops from Kempetai, Garut and Tasikmalaya. They all united to resist the arbitrary Japanese colonization, although in the end they had to lose.
Get to know the character of KH Zainal Mustafa
KH Zainal Mustafa or who in his childhood was known as Umri or Hudaemi was actually an ordinary person. He studied at Gunung Pari Islamic Boarding School and changed places as a migrant student. This, of course, is done in order to obtain deeper religious knowledge from various kinds of teachers and scholars.
After studying at several Islamic boarding schools in West Java and because of his intelligence, Umri was appointed assistant to Kyai Muttaqien. Umri has noble ambitions to be able to establish and manage his own pesantry. Until this dream was finally realized in the Baguer Village area, Singaparna. Of course, this is the story before the resistance of the West Java Singagarna people to the Japanese.
Umri then changed his name to KH Zainal Mustafa after performing hajj in 1937. He committed himself to learning Arabic as the main thing to learn in order to more easily understand the sciences of religion. However, at his Islamic boarding school, material on Indonesian history and the defense of the motherland was also taught.
The existence of this material made KH Zainal Mustafa supervised by intelligence from the Dutch colonizers. Even then, he was also imprisoned by the Netherlands. Of course, this happened because of his criticism of the policy of the colonizers, which was considered contrary to religious teachings and inhumane at that time.
He continued to do everything he could to defend his religion and his people. Opposes any policy of the invaders until the Japanese came to Indonesia. His love for the Motherland is undeniable. There have been many of his services as a national hero that have been performed and have had a great influence on the struggle of the Indonesian people.
The struggle of the people of Sinagarna must really end in defeat. But in other areas there was also great resistance to completing the policy of colonizers that was not right for the welfare of the people. In fact, based on the resistance of the people of Singaparna Vestjava against the Japanese, the struggle of the Indonesian people was extraordinary enough to defend their independence.