The South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) criticized India on Tuesday over a controversial moment involving the Dalai Lama. A widely shared video appeared to show the Tibetan Buddhist leader engaging with a child in a way many found inappropriate, fueling calls for accountability as the event drew attention across social platforms.
The EFF said the Dalai Lama’s apology was not enough and pressed for stronger action, insisting that leaders must be held to higher standards and that any form of harm toward minors should not be excused. As one of South Africa’s vocal political forces, the party reaffirmed its view that power comes with responsibility and that abuse against young people cannot be ignored.
The clip reportedly depicted the Dalai Lama kissing a young boy and then asking him to participate in an act described as tongue-sucking, before the spiritual leader turned attention to his own mouth. The footage spread rapidly online, sparking debates about boundaries in the presence of religious figures during public events.
A brief post on social media from the Dalai Lama’s office soon offered an apology. It stated that the leader apologized to the child, the family, and friends around the world for the harm caused by his words. The message also framed the Dalai Lama as someone who often jokes with people in lighthearted, even mischievous, ways, sometimes in public or on camera.
The EFF argued that the apology arrived late, noting it appeared almost a month after the incident and only after sustained pressure from activists and concerned communities. The party underscored that religious leaders should shield the vulnerable rather than tolerate abusive conduct, and it urged that no law should protect a public figure who commits harm.
Background information about the Dalai Lama’s life frequently enters discussions of this incident. Lhamo Dhondup, the fourteenth Dalai Lama, sought refuge in India with thousands of Tibetans after China’s crackdown on a failed uprising in Lhasa in early 1959. He has spent decades advocating for the rights and freedom of the Tibetan people, guided by a commitment to nonviolence and humanitarian engagement. In 1989, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote peaceful means of resolving conflict. Born in Taktser, eastern Tibet, on July 6, 1935, he was identified as the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama at a very young age and gradually assumed the role of spiritual leader for his people.
As discussions continued, observers noted the broader implications for how public figures interact with minors during public events, and the responsibilities of spiritual and political leaders to uphold ethical standards. The episode highlighted ongoing conversations about safeguarding and accountability within religious institutions and the bodies that engage with them on the world stage. The incident remains a touchstone in debates about how such moments should be handled, investigated, and reported across international communities. (World Alert via AlertaMundial2, reporting on April 9, 2023)