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Tibetan Exiles Condemn False Allegations Linking Dalai Lama to Jeffrey Epstein
The Tibetan community in exile has strongly rejected allegations attempting to link the Dalai Lama with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling the claims baseless and politically motivated.
From the north Indian hill town of Dharamsala, representatives of the Tibetan government-in-exile have spoken out against what they describe as a deliberate disinformation campaign. The office of the Dalai Lama has unequivocally stated that the spiritual leader never met Epstein nor authorized any interactions with him.
“We can unequivocally confirm that His Holiness has never met Jeffrey Epstein or authorised any meeting or interaction with him by anyone on His Holiness’s behalf,” read an official statement released by the Dalai Lama’s office in Dharamsala.
Youdon Aukatsang, a member of the Tibetan parliament in exile, expressed profound dismay over the allegations in an interview with ANI. “I am really disheartened, sad, and very unsettled to see people making these false allegations against His Holiness. There is nothing that links him with Jeffrey Epstein at all,” said Aukatsang.
The timing of the allegations has raised suspicions within the Tibetan community. The claims surfaced shortly after the announcement that the Dalai Lama would receive a Grammy Award, leading many to question the motives behind the sudden emergence of these connections.
“I think it’s really a handiwork of pro-Chinese propaganda, whether they are Russians or Chinese or whoever is working in collusion with China to defame His Holiness,” Aukatsang continued. “Just recently we read the good news that His Holiness is getting the Grammy award, and soon after that they are using this kind of opportunity.”
Tenzin Lobsang, general secretary of the Tibetan Youth Congress, pointed to specific patterns in how the allegations spread. “It’s quite visible that this information campaign is from the Chinese side. The moment the Dalai Lama receives the Grammy award, the first information spreads from the Russian state agency,” Lobsang told ANI.
Lobsang noted that reports mentioned the Dalai Lama’s name 169 times while attempting to establish a connection with Epstein. The information was subsequently amplified by Chinese state media, including CTJN, before being picked up by individuals on social media platforms.
The controversy appears to stem from individuals who allegedly used the Dalai Lama’s name as a reference in communications with Epstein. “Some individuals have used the name of the Dalai Lama, but there is no evidence and no link. They used His Holiness’ name in their resume to reach out to Jeffrey Epstein for some sort of financial aid,” Lobsang explained.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between China and the Tibetan exile community. Since fleeing Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, the Dalai Lama has been a persistent target of Chinese propaganda campaigns designed to undermine his international reputation and influence.
The 88-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who has lived in India for over six decades, continues to be revered globally as a spiritual leader while being denounced by Beijing as a “separatist.”
The controversy comes amid increasing Chinese efforts to control the narrative around Tibet and influence public perception of Tibetan Buddhism’s leadership. China has previously insisted it will recognize the next Dalai Lama according to its own selection process, rejecting the traditional Tibetan methods of identifying reincarnated religious leaders.
The Tibetan government-in-exile has called on those involved in spreading the allegations to apologize and has demanded evidence to support any claims linking the Dalai Lama to Epstein. Representatives remain adamant that the allegations are “101 percent false and baseless.”
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7 Comments
This seems like a clear attempt at Chinese propaganda to discredit the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan community has strongly refuted any links between their spiritual leader and the convicted sex offender Epstein. It’s disappointing to see such baseless claims being made.
It’s disheartening to see these false allegations being made against the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan parliament-in-exile has expressed profound dismay at the attempts to link their spiritual leader with the convicted criminal Epstein. This reeks of politically motivated propaganda.
This seems like a blatant attempt at character assassination against the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan exiles are right to condemn these false allegations as politically motivated propaganda. The spiritual leader’s office has unequivocally denied any connection to Epstein, and that should be respected.
Exiled Tibetans are rightfully outraged by these attempts to link their revered spiritual leader to the convicted sex offender Epstein. The Dalai Lama’s office has categorically denied any association, and the timing of these claims suggests a deliberate disinformation campaign, likely driven by China.
The Dalai Lama’s office has unequivocally stated that he never met or interacted with Epstein. It’s concerning to see these allegations being spread, likely as part of a disinformation campaign. The Tibetan exiles are right to condemn these false claims.
The Tibetan community has done well to swiftly and strongly reject these baseless claims. Attempts to tarnish the reputation of the Dalai Lama through unsubstantiated associations are clearly part of a larger disinformation effort, likely originating from China. The truth needs to prevail.
It’s concerning to see these baseless allegations being made against the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan community in exile has strongly rejected the claims, describing them as false and politically motivated. The spiritual leader’s office has unequivocally denied any connection to Epstein, and that should be respected.