A top political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration in India said the Tibetan people were hurt by the insinuations made over a recent viral video linked with the Dalai Lama and a boy, and alleged that “pro-Chinese sources” were trying to tarnish the spiritual leader’s image.
Addressing the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia here on Thursday, Penpa Tsering, Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration (government-in-exile), also alleged that China is ruling Tibet with an iron fist and trying to seek legitimacy from the international community.
The Sikyong (political leader of CTA) later also took questions from the audience on a range of issues, including on the recent video associated with the Dalai Lama and a boy.The Dalai Lama on April 10 apologised to the boy, his family and friends for the “hurt his words may have caused” after the video clip purportedly showing the Tibetan spiritual head asking him to “suck” his tongue sparked a row.
In the two-minute-five-second video, the Dalai Lama also asked the child “to look at those good human beings who create peace, and happiness and not follow those who kill other people”.Tsering described the gesture as an “innocent grandfatherly affectionate demeanour” that was followed by his “jovial prank” with a tongue.
“And that was meant for amusement for others. Now, who’s the victim? The boy is not complaining, his mother is not complaining. The victim here is, His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” he said.
Tsering said the clip being circulated was “tailored” and the entire video should be seen to understand the context. The purported incident took place at Tsuglagkhang, the main Tibetan temple in McLeodganj on February 28. The video was made viral later, he said.
“Through our investigation, we found that the initial instigators were pro-Chinese sources. That explains the motivation behind making this video clip viral.
“It needs no explanation as to who would gain from maligning the image, reputation and legacy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
