The Dalai Lama, who is on a visit to India, on Tuesday called out for respecting dissent, amid the raging debate over intolerance in the country. Addressing a gathering at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, he said that India has been an example for religious harmony across the world. The spiritual leader said, "You cannot eliminate everyone who disagrees with you."

The Nobel peace laureate also said that secularism denoted respect for all religions and non-believers as well. He also said that the next Dalai Lama could very well be a woman, adding that the world would be more peaceful if there were more women heads of state.