“Outraged and deeply offended” – GHDS on Baby Skello’s blasphemous song

…ERC actively exploring legal redress

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) has condemned the recent release of a song and music video by local performer Baby Skello, denouncing the work as vulgar, offensive, and an attack on Hindu religious beliefs.
In a statement, the GHDS expressed that the Hindu community is “outraged and deeply offended” by the obscene lyrics and imagery contained in the artiste’s new video, which they say gravely disparages Maha Lakshmi, a revered and worshipped goddess for Hindus around the world.

The GHDS has called on both the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and the Guyana Police Force to take “condign action” against Baby Skello, stressing that the artiste should be held accountable, issue a public apology, and withdraw the song from circulation.
“While the Hindu community is peaceful and respects all faiths and people across our country, the attacks on our religion and practice have not gone unnoticed,” the Sabha stated. “We strongly reject this distasteful and completely unwarranted narrative.”
The GHDS further raised concerns about the broader trend of disrespect toward women depicted in some forms of music and entertainment, noting that such portrayals contribute to the harassment and violence faced by women and girls. The organization has called on all Guyanese to stand in solidarity and condemn the artiste and his “disgusting song and video.”

Condemnation
Meanwhile, the Ethnic Relations Commission also issued a condemnation, describing the song as “vulgar, sexually explicit, and blasphemous,” and emphasized that it constitutes a deeply offensive act that strikes at the heart of the Hindu community’s religious beliefs.
The ERC stressed that freedom of expression carries a responsibility to respect the religious and cultural traditions of all groups in Guyana. “Any content that mocks, insults, or degrades sacred religious figures undermines social harmony and offends the values of decency and tolerance that Guyanese society upholds,” the ERC said.
As part of its response, the Commission has formally requested that Baby Skello remove the song from all digital platforms and halt all public dissemination of the material. The ERC is also actively exploring legal avenues under Guyanese law and is in discussions with relevant authorities to determine appropriate action and ensure accountability.
The ERC announced that it will ramp up efforts to engage artistes, producers, and media platforms to promote awareness of the importance of religious respect. Educational campaigns targeting younger audiences and content creators are planned as part of these efforts.
“The ERC remains steadfast in its mandate to protect the rights, dignity, and beliefs of all Guyanese and to ensure that acts of religious disrespect are met with decisive and lawful responses,” the Commission stated.
The controversy has sparked widespread public debate about the boundaries of artistic expression, religious sensitivity, and respect in Guyana’s multicultural society.
Baby Skello has since claimed that he was not referring to the Hindu Goddess, Mother Lakshmi but rather his pronunciation was misinterpreted.