July 1st 2019: The Dalai Lama has warned that Europe will ‘eventually become Muslim’ and an ‘African country’ if refugees were not made to return to countries of their origin. The Dalai Lama, who himself has fled to India as a refugee with 10,000 other Tibetans nearly 60 years ago, said that European countries should make refugees return to their countries after training them with necessary skills.

“European countries should take these refugees and give them education and training, and the aim is return to their own land with certain skills,” he told BBC in an interview. He continued, “A limited number is OK, but the whole of Europe [will] eventually become Muslim country, African country – impossible.”

The latest comment by the world’s most famous refugee is similar to his remarks, made last year when he said that Europe was for Europeans.

The Dalai Lama’s latest comments have evoked strong reactions from activists with many accusing him of Islamophobia and blatant racism.

Terming his comments ‘shameful, activist Kavita Krishnan wrote on Twitter, “After Aung San Suu Kyi, here’s another internationally revered figure – the Dalai Lama – stoking Islamophobia and xenophobia. Shameful.” Her subsequent tweet on the same topic read, “This comment by the Dalai Lama is both Islamophobic and racist. He forgets that “Europe” as we know it is a product of colonisation. People of African origin coming to Europe can say to white supremacists in Europe, “We are here because you were there”!

Academic Ashok Swain wrote, “Senility has taken its toll! Dalai Lama is a refugee for the last 60 years – When is he going back to his home country?”