'Was being playful': Delhi HC quashes plea against Dalai Lama over kissing video row

NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court dismissed a PIL concerning the alleged molestation of a boy by the Dalai Lama, as seen in a viral video last year.
The court stated that the religious leader was "being playful" and had already apologised for the incident.
In the video, the Dalai Lama was seen kissing the boy on the lips and asking him to "suck his tongue", which caused controversy on social media.
The petitioner, 'Confederation of NGOs', requested the court to direct authorities to take action under the Pocso Act and ensure the child's identity is removed from news portals.
However, a bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan said the PIL could not be entertained and the incident was not premeditated. The court stated that if someone is aggrieved, they can take appropriate legal action.
"The court has seen the video and finds that it happened in full public glare. The court finds it was the minor who expressed his desire and intent to meet and hug Respondent no. 4 (the Dalai Lama)," the court said, according to news agency PTI.
"If the video is seen in overall perspective, it can be seen that respondent no. 4 was being playful and trying to humour the child. It is to be seen in the context of the Tibetan culture. The fact that he is the head of a religious sect which is not on the best terms with a foreign power is also to be borne in mind while dealing with such petitions.
"The court finds that the respondent no. 4 has already expressed an apology to those who may have been hurt," the bench, also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, said.
The petitioner's counsel argued that while she was not trying to question the Dalai Lama's holiness, authorities should have issued a statement after taking note of the incident.
The counsel also pointed out that parents often take their children to meet religious leaders and requested a direction to "audit" all religious places, ashrams, and retreats.
The counsel further argued that if no action is taken, kissing minors on the lips could become normalised.
The court remarked that the government will examine the issue and that there was no public interest in the matter.
"There are gurus who kick people. We have seen that also. We can't get into all this. Next someone will say they got a bad handshake.. Give it a quietus. This is not a case to carry on like this," the court said.
"The present matter should not be entertained as public interest and the same is dismissed," it ordered, according to PTI.