Tibetan spiritual leader The Dalai Lama has broke the silence on the viral kissing a minor boy video that infuriated the netizens.
In a tweet, he has apologised for his behaviour and says that “he regrets the incident.”
The top 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".
Team of the Dalai Lama released the official statement on his Twitter.
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 an official statement.read the statement
The viral video showed the Dalai Lama kissing a young boy on the lips and touching foreheads with him. Then the leader sticks out his tongue and says: "Can you suck my tongue?"
The video triggered a huge backlash, with Twitter users denouncing it as "disgusting" and "unbecoming".
His apology has also started receiving backlash on the Internet with most people arguing that pedophilia is still disgusting whether apologised or not.
A twitter user going by the name Alana Joy has reacted in his official statement by saying, “I don’t think it was the “words” exactly, so much as the physical actions. I felt incredibly uncomfortable watching that video. For very real and valid reasons.”
A Network18 executive Khushboo Mattoo commented on His Holiness’ apology tweet with, “That's why mortals can't play God.This is exactly why!u need to step down & be tried in court.Also,the people laughing around & those on stage need a tight slap to bring them to senses.They could've saved the boy. It's not a small deal.Buddhism is not synonymous with u anymore”
Journalist Sameera Khan asked, “You didn’t just hug the boy though, you asked him to ‘suck your tongue.’ Why leave that bit out?”, as the official apology did not have any mention of His Holiness’ “suck my tongue” statement.