The Dalai Lama has issued an apology to the minor boy and his parents after the video showing the spiritual leader kissing the child on his lips and asking him to "suck his tongue" went viral.
“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,” the statement read
The video shows the young child approaching the 87-year-old Dalai Lama. The spiritual leader then sticks out his tongue and asks the boy to suck on it. The video went viral and drew backlash with many calling the act "alarming" and "creepy." Many social media users said the act was "disgusting" and "repulsive" and was also critical of other people seen the video, for not reacting to the gesture.
One user 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".
The Dalai Lama had earlier too courted controversy through his comment against women in a BBC interview. When asked about the possibility of a woman succeeding him, the Dalai Lama said: "If a female Dalai Lama comes, she should be more attractive," he said in English.
His comments triggered an uproar, and he later apologised for the statement. "He is deeply sorry that people have been hurt by what he said and offers his sincere apologies," it said.