Education Minister criticises justice system over disparity in handling gender-based violence

Education Minister Priya Manickchand has criticised what she described as a troubling disparity in how the justice system handles gender-based violence and cybercrime against women compared to other, less serious offences—following the case of recording artist Daniel Wharton, popularly known as “Baby Skello”, in which he was remanded for blasphemous libel.
According to the education minister, while she strongly condemned the actions of the artist, she questioned the judiciary’s priorities.
“The bench needs to be consistent and sensible in its application of the law. We are jailing someone for mumbling or trying to sing something offensive against a female goddess (which was terrible, should never be encouraged or listened to, and which I personally condemned),” Manickchand stated.
However, she went on to point out what she called the judiciary’s failure to adequately address more serious matters, particularly those involving crimes against women.
“The judiciary has been failing to address matters where women are at the mercy of the court—failing to address cases of cyberbullying where women’s nude photographs are published online without their consent and other truly egregious crimes against women,” the minister said.
She added that she hopes the artist has legal representation that could potentially reverse what she referred to as an “odd decision” at the High Court.
Wharton has been charged with blasphemous libel and has been remanded to prison. He made his first court appearance on Friday at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman. The matter is set to be called again on July 1.
The charge stems from a song he released on social media that contained several vulgar lyrics about the Hindu deity Maha Lakshmi.