In Germany For 9 Years, This AI Founder Refuses To Trade Indian Passport: ‘I Just Can’t Relate’

An entrepreneur and researcher who has lived in Germany for the past nine years recently drew attention by explaining why he continues to hold an Indian passport. Mayukh Panja moved to Germany for his

PhD and later worked there before founding his own AI company. Despite being eligible for German citizenship, he chose not to apply, saying that switching citizenship doesn’t feel right because he doesn’t connect with Germany the way he does with India.

Panja shared that while he enjoys living in Berlin and thrives in global tech environments, he still feels like an outsider when it comes to the country’s culture, stories, and way of life. He respects Germany but doesn’t see himself as part of it. He added that acquiring German citizenship would require him to adjust his values to fit the country’s lifestyle, something he is not comfortable with.

‘I Became Eligible For German Passport A Year Back’

Taking to X (Formerly Twitter), the entrepreneur explained, “I have been here 9 plus years, and I became eligible for the German passport a year back. I could have applied for citizenship a year ago, but I did not. I have thought about this a lot and I am increasingly coming to the conclusion that I can’t do this because I don’t feel German. I know it is only a document, but at the end of the day, I am Indian and it would feel odd to become German. I can’t relate to German stories, the history, the language and the culture. I can understand them, sure, but that is not the same as actually relating. I can blend in pretty easily in internationally culturally ambiguous settings in Berlin and scientific and tech circles, but beyond that, I can’t really integrate.”

“I see myself as a friend of Germany, but never truly one of Germany. It is a subtle but important distinction. But above all this, the most important thing is this, the moment I become a citizen, I would be expected to align my ideals, values and ethos with those of Germany. And rightfully so. I, myself, wouldn’t feel comfortable being a new citizen and expect the existing culture, which has developed over centuries, to adapt to my whims and fancies. I am perhaps too proud to enter such an unequal relationship,” Mayukh Panja added.

He shared, “In India, even if my opinions do not resonate with the overwhelming majority, I feel entitled to stand my ground and try to nudge things towards what I feel. I am a part of India. My opinions are by definition Indian opinions. You may not like them, but f**k you, they are. An Indian passport lets me have that entitlement. And inexplicably, it matters a fu**ing lot to me.

I have been here 9 + years and I became eligible for the German passport a year back. I could have applied for citizenship a year ago, but I did not. I have thought about this a lot and I am increasingly coming to the conclusion that I can’t do this. Because I don’t feel German.… https://t.co/amUbrxgObK

— Mayukh (@mayukh_panja) December 5, 2025

Online Community Responds With Mixed Views

Reacting to the post, a user wrote, “Brother, take the passport. Your kids will thank you. Simple maths equation on cost of visas saved, time saved. I didn’t take my British when I could have (have Australian anyway). You never look back and think ‘thank god I didn’t.’ The world evolves. You’ll always want more options. Don’t do it for yourself. Do it for the future generations.”

Another shared, “The unwritten assumption about immigration is that your kids will embrace the identity of the new homeland, but you will always be in the middle somewhere. Whatever passport you choose, you will never quite feel at home in either country.”

“You understand the concept of a nation. Honourable decision,” a comment read.

An individual stated, “You’re very different from the rest of your countrymen then. Most Indians would throw their grandma into a volcano for a German passport.”

Another mentioned, “Be aware that now that you have written this on social media, if you ever change your mind, you can forget about getting a German passport.”

One more added, “I respect your stance. There should be a special EU passport for people like you, to get the same EU privileges, but without destroying the ethnic identity of European passports.”

Entrepreneur Says German Citizenship Offers Benefits But Not Identity

In another post, Mayukh Panja explained that giving up his Indian passport is difficult because it reminds him of the struggle and pain his ancestors went through. He shared that people in his family and across the country fought against British rule. They faced harsh treatment, were jailed, beaten and continued their fight. Their courage and willingness to put the country above themselves helped India become an independent nation. For him, the passport represents the effort of many generations who worked to build the country.

Is the passport of a country simply a travel document? I don't blame people who see it that way, but I haven't been able to. And this is why giving up the Indian passport has been hard.

To me, it symbolises the willingness to sacrifice yourself for that country. My ancestors… https://t.co/9R2aZWnWnT

— Mayukh (@mayukh_panja) December 7, 2025

The entrepreneur also acknowledged that while he disagrees with certain aspects of India, he resonates with many values associated with Germany. He explained that obtaining German citizenship would grant him numerous benefits, including easier access to places and opportunities not available with an Indian passport.