Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama made headlines across the globe as he faced allegations of lewd behaviour after kissing a young boy and asking him to suck his tongue at a public event.
The matter occurred at the Dalai Lama’s temple in Dharamshala, India which was attended by young students who passed out from Indian M3M Foundation, however, the coarse act of Dalai Lama, who is known for being the holiest figure in Buddhism, sparked wide outcry.
The viral clip shows an 87-year-old kissing a boy’s lips as the latter came closer to pay his respects to the Buddhist monk. After planting a kiss, he told the child to suck his tongue. The clip soon went viral on social media, prompting a strong reaction from child activists.
This is a disgusting, vile and shameful display by a religious leader. Had this been the action of a Catholic priest, it would have been all over the mainstream media, but because it's by an exiled Dalai Lama, they will just sweep it under the carpet away from public view. pic.twitter.com/jy2UXrHkUu
— Yes, it's me (@ElysiusThor) April 9, 2023
Amid the outcry, a statement shared on his verified Twitter account said “His Holiness wishes to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused…His Holiness often teases the people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras,” it said, adding that “Dalai Lama regrets the incident.”
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) April 10, 2023
Social media users and activists slammed the clip, calling it sickening while others raised questions over child abuse in schools run under the Nobel Peace Prize winner figure.
Let it be known that Dalai Lama is known for his movement for Tibetan autonomy. He however stepped into several controversies.
