India
‘Was playful’: Delhi HC quashes petition against Dalai Lama over kiss video row | India News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court a PIL dismissed regarding the alleged assault of a boy by the Dalai Lamaas seen in a viral video last year.
The court said the religious leader was being “playful” and had already apologized for the incident.
In the video, the Dalai Lama is seen kissing the boy on the lips and asking him to “suck his tongue,” which controversy on social media.
The plaintiff, ‘Confederation of NGOs’, asked the court to order the authorities to take action on the basis of the Pocso Act and ensure that the child’s identity is removed from news portals.
However, a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan said the PIL could not be entertained and the incident was not premeditated. The court said if anyone feels aggrieved, he or she can take appropriate action legal action.
“The court has viewed the video and is of the opinion that it happened in full view of the public. The court is of the opinion that it was the minor who expressed his desire and intention to meet and hug respondent No. 4 (the Dalai Lama),” the court said, according to news agency PTI.
“If the video is viewed in its overall perspective, it can be seen that respondent no. 4 was playful and trying to appease the child. It has to be seen in the context of Tibetan culture. The fact that he is the head of a religious sect that is not on the best terms with a foreign power should also be kept in mind while dealing with such petitions.
“The court finds that defendant no. 4 has already apologized to those who may have been injured,” said the court, which also consists of judge Toeshar said Rao Gedela.
The applicant’s lawyer argued that she did not want to question the sanctity of the Dalai Lama, but that the authorities should have issued a statement after learning of the incident.
The counsel also pointed out that parents often take their children to meet religious leaders and sought a directive to ‘audit’ all religious places, ashrams and retreats.
The attorney further stated that if no measures are taken, kissing minors on the lips could become normal.
The court noted that the government will investigate the matter and that there is no public interest in the matter.
“There are gurus who kick people. We have seen that too. We cannot comment on this. Someone will soon say that he had a bad handshake. Take it easy. This is not a case to continue like this,” the court said.
“The present case cannot be treated as a matter of public interest and is therefore dismissed,” PTI said.
The court said the religious leader was being “playful” and had already apologized for the incident.
In the video, the Dalai Lama is seen kissing the boy on the lips and asking him to “suck his tongue,” which controversy on social media.
The plaintiff, ‘Confederation of NGOs’, asked the court to order the authorities to take action on the basis of the Pocso Act and ensure that the child’s identity is removed from news portals.
However, a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan said the PIL could not be entertained and the incident was not premeditated. The court said if anyone feels aggrieved, he or she can take appropriate action legal action.
“The court has viewed the video and is of the opinion that it happened in full view of the public. The court is of the opinion that it was the minor who expressed his desire and intention to meet and hug respondent No. 4 (the Dalai Lama),” the court said, according to news agency PTI.
“If the video is viewed in its overall perspective, it can be seen that respondent no. 4 was playful and trying to appease the child. It has to be seen in the context of Tibetan culture. The fact that he is the head of a religious sect that is not on the best terms with a foreign power should also be kept in mind while dealing with such petitions.
“The court finds that defendant no. 4 has already apologized to those who may have been injured,” said the court, which also consists of judge Toeshar said Rao Gedela.
The applicant’s lawyer argued that she did not want to question the sanctity of the Dalai Lama, but that the authorities should have issued a statement after learning of the incident.
The counsel also pointed out that parents often take their children to meet religious leaders and sought a directive to ‘audit’ all religious places, ashrams and retreats.
The attorney further stated that if no measures are taken, kissing minors on the lips could become normal.
The court noted that the government will investigate the matter and that there is no public interest in the matter.
“There are gurus who kick people. We have seen that too. We cannot comment on this. Someone will soon say that he had a bad handshake. Take it easy. This is not a case to continue like this,” the court said.
“The present case cannot be treated as a matter of public interest and is therefore dismissed,” PTI said.
