Dalai Lama Issues Apology To Minor Boy After ‘Suck His Tongue’ Viral Video Sparks Row

The Dalai Lama, the foremost spiritual leader of the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism, has issued an apology after a video of him kissing a child sparked outrage on the internet. In the apology, the monk said he was sorry for his words might have caused ‘hurt’ to the minor and his family.

The statement also added that the spiritual leader often “teases” people he meets in an “innocent and playful” manner.

Dalai Lama’s Viral Video

In the video that went viral, the spiritual leader is seen kissing a boy on his lips first and then asking for a tongue kiss as well in a front of a crowd and the minor’s parents.

After a video of the Dalai Lama asking a young boy to suck his tongue went viral, his office has issued a statement.

"His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident” pic.twitter.com/cGvUXUQw7t

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) April 10, 2023

Soon, the internet began criticising the Dalai Lama and called the incident “creepy”, “disgusting” and “repulsive”. One wrote, “🤢 This is an alarming scene! The Dalai Lama, who has had ties to NXIVM in the past, caught on camera trying to make advances to an Indian boy. You can clearly see the boy's body language as he yanks back the first time, then throws his head upward as the Dalai-Lama says ‘SUCK MY TONGUE’.”

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While another wrote, “Utterly shocked to see this display by the #DalaiLama. In the past too, he’s had to apologize for his sexist comments. But saying - Now suck my tongue to a small boy is disgusting.”

“The Dalai Lama apologised for the incident. However, is an apology enough? The video is on the internet and the internet is forever. It will cause him trauma growing up. For any other person this would amount to jail time. This is molestation and needs to be taken seriously,” wrote another user.

Dalai Lama’s Apology

“A video clip has been circulating that shows a recent meeting when a young boy asked His Holiness the Dalai Lama if he could give him a hug. His Holiness wishes to apologise 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 people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident," said the official statement of the monk.

pic.twitter.com/vlmUbI4vqz

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) April 10, 2023

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Earlier in 2019, the Dalai Lama had sparked controversy after he said if his successor were to be a woman, then she should be “more attractive” and later apologised for the statement.