Rapper Cardi B has weighed in on the debate surrounding the controversial footage of the Dalai Lama that surfaced earlier this week.
In the video, the holy figure is seen kissing a young boy before asking him to suck his tongue. He has since offered an apology after the video caused widespread outrage.
Responding to the video on Twitter, Cardi B said: “This world is full of predators. They prey on the innocent. The ones who are most unknowing, our children.”
She continued: “Predators could be our neighbours, our school teachers, even people (with) money, power & our churches.” Cardi then advised parents to “constantly talk with your kids about boundaries and what they shouldn’t allow people to do to them”, and to not allow sleepovers.
In response to those who criticised her, the ‘Up’ musician wrote: “I’m getting dragged up and down because I’m telling parents to be careful (of) people that prey on children… It’s craziness.”
She concluded: “All this support I’m getting at the same time is beautiful. It was deep in my heart to talk about this.”
In an apology, the statement from the Dalai Lama’s office reads: “His holiness wishes to apologise to the boy and his family as well as his many friends across the world, for the hurt his words may have caused.”
“His holiness often teases people he meets in an innocent and playful way, even in public and before cameras. He regrets the incident.”