In a country as richly diverse and proudly pluralistic as Guyana, where people of all religions and cultures have long lived side by side in relative harmony, it is deeply troubling when artistic expression crosses the line into vulgarity, blasphemy, and disrespect. The recent release of a song by local artiste Baby Skello has sparked outrage and condemnation over the offensive and obscene content that disparages one of Hinduism’s most revered deities, Maha Lakshmi.
We stand firmly with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) and everyone in condemning the actions of Baby Skello. This is not a matter of stifling creativity or silencing artistic voices. It is a matter of upholding the values that form the very foundation of our nation: respect, tolerance, and decency.
Guyana is proudly one of the most multicultural and multireligious countries in the world. Here, Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Indigenous faith practitioners, Baháʼís, Rastafarians, and many others live together, celebrate each other’s festivals, and often stand shoulder to shoulder during moments of national joy or tragedy. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, yes, but it also guarantees freedom of religion and the right of all citizens to practice their faith without insult, mockery, or degradation.
The song released by Baby Skello do not merely push the boundaries of taste or edgy humor, but rather it recklessly assaults the religious sentiments of thousands of Hindu citizens. Maha Lakshmi is worshipped as the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and well-being by Hindus across the globe. To drag such a sacred figure into the realm of vulgarity and sexualized entertainment is not only profoundly disrespectful but also socially irresponsible.
The GHDS is right to demand accountability. Baby Skello must be held responsible for his actions, not just through the removal of the offensive material and the issuing of a public apology, but also through meaningful reflection on the harm caused. Artistic freedom is never a blank cheque to trample on the beliefs or identities of others. Rights come with responsibilities, and in a multicultural democracy, those responsibilities include respecting the boundaries that safeguard our social harmony.
We applaud the Ethnic Relations Commission for stepping in swiftly to address this issue, and we urge the Commission to follow through decisively. The ERC’s plans to engage artistes, producers, and media platforms to raise awareness about religious respect are timely and necessary. Education is a powerful tool in ensuring that future creative works inspire, provoke thought, and even challenge norms—without crossing into the dangerous territory of religious insult and cultural desecration.
The GHDS has also raised a broader concern that deserves national reflection: the troubling trend of disrespect toward women in some forms of entertainment. Songs, videos, and media that glamorize violence, objectification, or vulgarity toward women do not exist in a vacuum; they feed into wider social patterns that normalize harassment, disrespect, and even violence against women and girls. As a nation, we must push back against this trend, recognizing that our art, our media, and our public discourse shape the values we pass on to the next generation.
A clear, collective message must be sent that attacks on any faith will not be tolerated, that artistic expression must never become a weapon of division, and that the dignity and rights of every person of every religion in Guyana must be steadfastly defended.
We call on Baby Skello to act responsibly and honor the calls from the Hindu community and the ERC to withdraw the offensive content, apologize sincerely, and engage in dialogue to better understand the impact of his actions. We also call on fellow artistes, and entertainment platforms to reflect carefully on the power they hold in shaping public values and perceptions. Freedom of expression is a precious right, but it flourishes best when coupled with integrity, accountability, and respect.
Guyana’s greatest strength is its people: a mosaic of cultures, religions, and identities that together form a vibrant, peaceful society. Let us not allow this reckless act to erode that strength.
