Dalai Lama Apologizes Over Footage Of Him Asking Boy To Suck His Tongue

After a video of him asking a boy if he wanted to suck his tongue went viral, the Dalai Lama has issued an apology. His office released a statement apologizing to the child and his family "for the hurt his words may have caused."

The video also shows the Dalai Lama kissing the child on the lips. The Dalai Lama's office said that "His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident."

The video was recorded at the Dalai Lama's temple in Dharamshala on 28 February when he had interacted with around 120 students who had completed a skills training programme organised by the M3M Foundation, the philanthropic arm of real estate company M3M Group.

The footage has sparked criticism online, with many social media users calling the incident inappropriate and disturbing.