Dalai Lama tenders apology after video shows him asking boy to 'suck his tongue'

Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh): His Holiness the Dalai Lama has tendered an apology after a video of him asking a young boy to "suck his tongue" stirred a row.

"His Holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent...playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident," said an official statement from the spiritual leader. The video also reportedly showed him kissing the boy on his lips. 

An official statement released by the office of the Dalai Lama stated that the Tibetan spiritual leader "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."

"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 said.

The Buddhist spiritual leader's remarks follow after a video clip started circulating on social media that showed him meeting a young boy. The purported video shows the Dalai Lama kissing the boy on his lips as the latter leaned in to pay his respects.

After a few moments, the Tibetan spiritual leader can be seen pointing to his mouth and sticking his tongue out. In the purported clip, the Dalai Lama can be heard saying, "Can you suck my tongue."

The video has caught the attention of netizens on social media. Twitter users have expressed their disappointment and outrage over the incident.