Dalai Lama apologises after backlash over asking a boy to suck his tongue

As reported, the video clip in question is from an event held in McLeod Ganj, a suburb of Dharamshala City in northern India, on February 28.

The 87-year-old Buddhist spiritual leader apologised to the boy and his family, with his team saying he “often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way”.

An official statement was posted on the exiled Tibetan leader’s Twitter account, which has 19 million followers

“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,” it said.

Millions of social media users across the globe have expressed their disgust over the Dalai Lamba’s viral video.

Not innocent or playful. Public sexual assault on a child caught on camera. An apology? No, that’s not enough. He needs to be exiled for real. Time to step down and kept away from children. #DalaiLama

— Damon Gonzalez (@TheyCallMeDaymz) April 10, 2023