When an Indian biochemistry student applied for internship at the historic 609 years old Leipzig University in Germany, he was appalled and shocked to know that he was denied admission because of rape incidents happening in India.
The incident surfaced on March 8th, International Women’s Day. BBC aired the controversial ‘India’s Daughter’ documentary worldwide, on the same day, which was banned by the Indian Govt.
The student shared the screenshots of this conversation on Quora:
As per the conversation, Professor Annette Beck Sickinger said “.. Unfortunately I don’t accept any Indian male students for internships. We hear a lot about the rape problem in India which I cannot support. I have many female students in my group, so I think this attitude is something I cannot support,”
In the second screenshot, Professor Annette is saying that “Many female professors in Germany decided to no longer accept male Indian students for these reasons, and currently other European female association are joining. Of course we cannot change or influence the Indian society, but only take our consequences here in Europe.”
This blatant discrimination against a race, based on rapes is probably the first instance in the history of human race. Earlier, such discrimination used to happen based on caste, color, religion etc.
A third screenshot was also shared, which provided evidence of the domain from where the email was sent, confirming that it was not a hoax.
The matter soon blew out of proportions, as these email conversations went viral, spreading to Twitter, Facebook, Reddit and online publications.
Sensing the condemnation and shock received from this incident, and understanding that it’s the image of Germany which is getting a beating, German Ambassador in India, Michael Steiner intervened and took action. He wrote a scathing letter to Professor Annette, wherein he strongly objected to this decision:
He said, “I would encourage you to learn more about the diverse, dynamic and fascinating country and the many welcoming and open-minded people of India so that you could connect a simplistic image, which – in my opinion – is particularly unsuitable for a professor and teacher.”
Later, an unconfirmed screenshot of an email conversation appeared, which was claimed to be the reply from Professor to Ambassador’s letter.
Next day, an apology from the German professor appeared in a press release published by the university.
The question which arises is, what made Professor Annette, who is a highly educated woman, working at Germany’s one of the oldest and most reputable colleges, made such a discrimination based on rape incidents?
In a single stroke of mis-judgement, she sidelined a whole generation of Indian men, as if all Indians are rapists and their college would be attacked by rapists if they allow any Indian to enter their premises.
Such prejudice and malice against a civilization is highly alarming and unfortunate.