{"id":172070,"date":"2023-04-10T07:45:07","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T11:45:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=172070"},"modified":"2023-04-10T07:45:07","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T11:45:07","slug":"dalai-lama-apologizes-after-video-asking-child-to-suck-his-tongue-sparks-outcry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/dalai-lama-apologizes-after-video-asking-child-to-suck-his-tongue-sparks-outcry\/","title":{"rendered":"Dalai Lama apologizes after video asking child to \u2018suck\u2019 his tongue sparks outcry"},"content":{"rendered":"
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CNN<\/span>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/cite><\/div>\n

The Dalai Lama has apologized after a video emerged showing the spiritual leader kissing a child on the lips and then asking him to \u201csuck my tongue\u201d at an event in northern India.<\/p>

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In a statement Monday, the office for the Dalai Lama said he \u201cwishes to apologize to the boy and his family, as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused,\u201d adding he \u201cregrets\u201d the incident.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>

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His apology comes after a video of the exchange, which took place during an event in the hillside city of Dharamshala in February, went viral on social media with many users criticizing the Dalai Lama\u2019s actions.<\/p>

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In the video, the young boy can be seen approaching the Nobel Peace Prize winner before asking, \u201cCan I hug you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The 87-year-old spiritual leader then invites the boy on stage and points to his cheek and says, \u201cfirst here,\u201d prompting the boy to give him a hug and a kiss.<\/p>

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