Sikkim: HSP stands in solidarity with His Holiness Dalai Lama over 'suck my tongue' remark

The Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) expresses its unwavering support and solidarity with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
 

Bhaichung Bhutia, the president of HSP, has been a long-standing supporter of the Dalai Lama and the cause of Tibet. 
 

He is the only athlete in the world to reject carrying the Olympic torch when it was held in China, in support of Tibet and the Dalai Lama. 
 

Bhutia has also been an advocate for the Tibetan cause in various national and international forums.

Also Read: Sikkim: Tibetan community of Gangtok defends Dalai Lama's actions of love and affection towards child

Meanwhile, the Tibetan community in Gangtok has come forward to defend the actions of Dalai Lama, after a video clip of him kissing a young child sparked controversy on social media. The community has maintained that His Holiness had no intention of causing harm to the child and that his actions were purely an expression of affection.
 

In a statement released by the community, they emphasized that after exchanging a kiss with the child, His Holiness emphasized their shared humanity, stating, "We are all brothers and sisters." The interaction ended with a playful moment, as His Holiness tickled the child and encouraged him to focus on the importance of peace and happiness, cautioning against those who cause harm to others.
 

The community strongly encouraged people not to make hasty and severe judgments based solely on a superficial reading of a selectively edited video clip, presented without its cultural and interactional context. By acknowledging that His Holiness's gesture was specific to his culture and context, and not of a sexual nature, the community hopes to promote a greater appreciation for the diversity and richness of cultural norms, practices, and gestures around the world.
 

"His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a global icon of peace, who has spent his life advocating for the rights of oppressed people and serving all sentient beings. In 2012, he was honoured with the prestigious Templeton Prize by the John Templeton Foundation. His Holiness generously donated a significant portion of the prize money ($1.5 million) to support the Save the Children Fund in India, helping to improve access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for children, as well as providing crucial aid in times of natural disasters, war, and other crises.", the community said.