Social Media Personality ‘Baby Skello’ Remanded Over Blasphemous Lyrics in TikTok Song
Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News
Diamond Magistrate Judy Latchman has remanded local social media personality Daniel Wharton, popularly known as Baby Skello, to prison until July 1st. The decision comes after Wharton was formally charged with blasphemous libel stemming from a controversial TikTok song he released earlier this year.
The song in question allegedly portrayed Hindu goddess Lakshmi in a vulgar and disrespectful manner, sparking widespread outrage within Guyana’s Hindu community.
Police arrested Wharton on May 12 and questioned him for several hours before releasing him. Following his release, the social media influencer deleted the song from his platforms and issued a public apology to the Hindu community. He was also summoned by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), which had indicated its intention to pursue all legal remedies under Guyanese law.
However, the decision to remand Wharton has ignited criticism from several corners of society, including prominent attorneys and government officials.
In a public post, Attorney-at-law Sase Gunraj wrote:
“The remand of Baby Skello is unnecessary and excessive. His attempt at music was undoubtedly blasphemous and disrespectful, but refusal of bail ought not to be used as a penalty.”
Minister of Education Priya Manickchand, also an attorney, weighed in, questioning the judiciary’s consistency:
“We are jailing someone for mumbling or trying to sing something offensive against a female goddess, which I personally condemn — but we are failing to address speedily domestic violence and cyberbullying matters where women are at the mercy of the court.”
Manickchand expressed hope that Wharton has proper legal representation and called for the High Court to review what she labeled as an “odd decision.”
The case continues to spark debate about freedom of expression, religious sensitivity, and judicial discretion in Guyana.
