German Professor denies internship to Indian student; is rape the new racial stereotype?

By Newsgram Staff Writer

An Indian male student was denied an internship at the University of Leipzig by a female biochemistry professor citing India`s rape problem as the reason.

"I have many female friends in my group, so I think this attitude is something I cannot support," was Professor Annette Beck-Sickinger`s argument.

Fortunately for the student the issue was taken up by the German Embassy in India. German Ambassador, Michael Steiner wrote to the professor, who subsequently issued an apology.

The incident followed the banning of BBC documentary, India`s Daughter by the Indian government which has lead to a lot of criticism around the world.

Is the International reaction called for?

One of the most scathing attacks on Indian men came from Kuwait Times which ran a story titled 'Rapist's views reflect those of many in India – Indian men 'blame women for rape'. For Kuwait, a country famous for minimal women rights, a country with no laws against sexual harassment or domestic violence, such comments do not stand true to its self made image.

How do the developed nations fare?

7th March 2015, Leeds – 'An 18 year old woman raped and 'left of dead' in Leeds assault'

8th March 2015, Oxfordshire – The defence lawyer of the gang of five men accused of subjecting six schoolgirls to 'horrific' sexual abuse said that the girls came forward because 'it's better to be a victim than a slag'.

A number of similar stories make headlines in national UK newspapers every single day. According to credible factual data, developed countries make up for majority of the rape cases recorded against women around the world. 1 in every 6 women faces a rape attempt in the perennial world power, USA. In UK, a government report released in 2013 stated that 1 in 5 women above the age of 16 was subjected to some form of sexual abuse.

Is India alone?

The menace of rape and violence against women exists worldwide and making India the lone scapegoat isn't going to solve the problem. In Mexico, on an average, six women are murdered each day. So despicable is Mexico's situation that the UN termed it as 'femicide' in the country. In 2006, a 14-year-old Iraqi girl was raped and killed by five U.S. soldiers near Al-Mahmudiyah town, Iraq. To destroy any evidence, she was shot in her head and the soldiers set the lower part of her body on fire. Known as the country exhibiting the best 'gender equality' stats in the world, Sweden holds the dubious distinction of recording the highest number of rape cases in Europe. The 'sick' thinking of men behind such crimes exists everywhere in the world, including India.