Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has apologized to a young boy and his family after a video of him kissing the child on the lips and asking him to ‘suck his tongue’ went viral on social media. The video has triggered widespread outrage, with many calling the act ‘disgusting’ and ‘inappropriate’.
In an official statement, the Dalai Lama explained that he often teases people in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. However, he acknowledged that his actions may have caused hurt and expressed regret over the incident.
The video shows the Dalai Lama kissing the boy on the lips and then touching his foreheads with him. He then asks the child, “Can you suck my tongue?” while sticking out his tongue.
Twitter users have expressed their dismay over the incident, with many calling for accountability. Some have argued that even if the Dalai Lama’s intention wasn’t wrong, his actions were still highly inappropriate.
While some users have pointed out that tongue and nose touching are a part of Tibetan customs, others have noted that this may not be widely known or understood, especially by children. Many have expressed concern for the child involved, suggesting that he may have been traumatized by the incident.
The Dalai Lama is a highly respected religious leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. However, this incident has caused many to question his judgment and has led to a significant loss of goodwill among his supporters.