Indian student denied internship: Prof apologises for 'unwarranted remarks'

Professor Annette G. Beck-Sickinger of the Leipzig University has apologised for her 'unwarranted remarks' after she denied internship to a male Indian student for the 'rape problem' in the country.

According to a release by the German Embassy in India, Beck-Sickinger has said that she made a mistake.

"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: "I have made a mistake. I sincerely apologise to everyone whose feelings I have hurt," the release stated.

Earlier, the student was denied internship because of the 'rape problem' in India, an 'attitude' Beck-Sickinger said she cannot support.

"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 friends in my group, so I think this attitude is something I cannot support," she wrote, while rejecting his candidature.

Germany Ambassador to India Michael Steiner rallied to the support of the student, terming the rejection as 'unfair'.

"The 2012 Nirbhaya rape case has refocused attention on the issue of violence against women. Rape is indeed a serious issue in India as in most countries, including Germany. In India, the Nirbhaya case has triggered lively, honest, sustained and very healthy public debate - a public debate of a quality that wouldn't be possible in many other countries," he wrote.

"Your oversimplifying and discriminating generalisation is an offence to women and men ardently committed to furthering women's empowerment in India; and is an offence to millions of law-abiding, tolerant, open-minded and hard-working Indians. Let's be clear: India is not a country of rapists," he added.