Rape problem: German professor apologises for rejecting Indian student's internship request

The German ambassador to India Michael Steiner has condemned Annette Beck-Sickinger's for her decision.

In a letter to the professor, Michael Steiner said: "It has been brought to my attention that you denied an intemship to a male Indian student, giving 'the rape problem in India' as a reason. Let me make it clear at the outset that I strongly object to this."

"Rape is indeed a serious issue in India as in most countries, including Germany. In India, the Nirbhaya case has triggered a lively honest, sustained and very healthy public debate - a public debate of a quality that wouldn't be possible in many other countries. The Indian Government and Indian civil society organisations are very committed to tackling the issue," read the letter.

"I would encourage you to leam more about the diverse, dynamic and fascinating country and the many welcoming and open-minded people of India so that you could conect a simplistic image, which - in my opinion - is particularly unsuitable for a professor and teacher," the ambassador urged Annette Beck-Sickinger.

Reacting on the issue, the German Missions in India website said:"Ambassador Michael Steiner takes note that the University of Leipzig has just announced publicly that Professor Beck-Sickinger apologises for her unwarranted remarks."

Professor Beck-Sickinger said as quoted by the website: “I have made a mistake. I sincerely apologise to everyone whose feelings I have hurt.”