Kangana Ranaut visits the Dalai Lama with an eye toward Buddhist votes

Kangana Ranaut, a Bollywood actress and BJP candidate from the Mandi parliamentary seat, visited the Dalai Lama this morning at his McLeodganj home. Kangana’s visit was seen as an effort to appease the Buddhist voters in the Mandi parliamentary seat, who were displeased with her remarks on a meeting between the US President Joe Biden and the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama was the subject of a meme that Kangana tweeted out last year with the caption, “The Dalai Lama receives a warm welcome at the White House.” The post seemed to be in response to a widely shared video that showed the Dalai Lama kissing a little kid on the lips. Online, opinions on it were divided. The event took place at the Tsuglagkhang temple in Dharamsala during a public gathering in February. The viral film was described as Chinese propaganda against the Dalai Lama by the officials of the Tibetan government in exile.

Following the post, Tibetans planned a demonstration outside Kangana’s Mumbai home. Following that, Kangana deleted her post and described it as a lighthearted jest.

A significant portion of voters in the Mandi parliamentary seat are Buddhists. The Dalai Lama is highly revered by Buddhists, and many people follow him. Kangana’s visit to the Dalai Lama today seemed to be a ploy to appease the Buddhist voters.

Later, Kangana spoke at a public gathering in the Dharamsala Assembly seat and promoted BJP candidate Sudhir Sharma.