Dear Editor,
I am not religious in any way whatsoever. The consequence is that I enjoy my intellectual latitude in analysing any topic of a religious nature, just as I enjoy the analysis with no intellectual shackles of political, social and other issues. Likewise, I respect artistes’ entitlement to such latitude. Religionists should not expect their religion to be immuned from critical analysis.
Although I read various comments about DJ ‘Baby Skello’s’ song about the Hindu Goddess, Lakshmi, in Stabroek News, the matter was only significantly brought into my focus when I read in Stabroek News that DJ ‘Baby Skello’ was refused bail and remanded in custody by Magistrate Judy Latchman. My initial reaction was profound shock that such a drastic decision was made by the Magistrate in response to a song, which was construed as being critical of a religion. This led me today, 22 June 2025, to check YouTube to see whether the song was available so as to inform my opinion. I found a video of it with critical commentary posted by a YouTuber, Island Boy, who is of Indian decent.
The song manifestly lacks creativity, is unlyrical and is vulgar beyond the pale. It raised questions in my mind about DJ ‘Baby Skello’s’ educational attainment. However, the song is not an analysis or an insult of the Hindu religion per se, but consists of solely direct, crude and uncouth references to the Hindu Goddess, although some might say that that is tantamount to attacking the religion.
It should be borne in mind that the Magistrate’s decision to refuse bail was solely discretionary. It had nothing to do with the Guyana Constitution nor the legislation whereunder DJ ‘Baby Skello’ was charged. I was also impelled to wonder whether DJ Skello was legally represented, when he appeared before Magistrate Latchman or whether it was a case of an unrepresented defendant, who was unable to cogently apply for bail or was not articulate to make such an application at all. I particularly note that I have not read of his being legally represented at the hearing before Magistrate Latchman.
The fact that the APNU political party secured legal representation for his successful bail application in the High Court reinforces my suspicion that he was an unrepresented defendant before Magistrate Latchman. Hopefully, now that Guyana is a petro state, with oil money in abundance, yearly budgetary allocations will be made for unrepresented defendants to have free legal representation at their first hearing in magistrate’s courts for imprisonable offences at least. DJ ‘Baby Skello’ is charged with an imprisonable offence.
Finally, like other members of society, magistrates and judges have their value systems. In exercising their judicial functions, these judicial officers should invariably strive to do so without fear, favour or sentiment. In South Africa, reference is made to without fear, favour or prejudice.
Willan J Cyrus Esq