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‘It wasn’t me’: ERC
…says not involved in Baby Skello’s court case
Daniel Wharton, popularly known as Baby Skello
Kaieteur News – The Ethic Relations Commission (ERC) on Monday stated that the commission had no hand in the prosecution or remand of Daniel Wharton, popularly known as Baby Skello.
Wharton, who sang a vulgar and distasteful song about the Hindu goddess, Lakshmi, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where he was remanded to prison until July 1, 2025.
Following a public outcry, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) denounced the song and urged authorities to take disciplinary action. However, in a follow-up statement on Monday, the Commission stressed that it was not involved in Wharton’s prosecution or his subsequent remand. The ERC explained that it issued two formal invitations to Wharton, on May 14 and May 23, 2025 requesting his appearance to discuss the concerns raised by the Hindu community regarding the song’s content. “These appeals were made in response ERC receipt of formal complaints from the Hindu community. Despite the ERC’s well-publicised efforts to initiate a dialogue, Mr. Wharton did not respond or present himself for an interview. As the Commission does not possess subpoena powers, it was unable to compel his attendance or further engage with him on this matter,” ERC said.
The Commission’s first press release, dated May 14, 2025, stated, in part:
“The Ethnic Relations Commission has also noted that Baby Skello was arrested by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in relation to his recent song which contained blasphemous content against the Hindu religion. The ERC respects the independent actions of the GPF to investigate and address this matter within the full extent of the law. However, the ERC wishes to clarify that this matter is also being addressed at the level of the ERC, and Baby Skello has been summoned to face the Commission. While the ERC has referred several matters to the police based on completed investigations, that is not yet one such case.”
A second statement, issued on May 23, 2025, sought to correct misinformation in the media. “The Commission also takes this opportunity to correct inaccurate media reports which suggested that the ERC was responsible for the arrest of Mr. Daniel Wharton, also known by his stage name ‘Baby Skello.’ The ERC wishes to inform the public that a letter was dispatched to Mr. Wharton, requesting his presence at the Commission in relation to a song released by him that has raised public concern over its derogatory content. To date, Mr. Wharton has not made contact with the Commission. The ERC reiterates its call for Mr. Wharton ‘Baby Skello’ to come forward and make contact with the Commission urgently to address this important matter.”
Following the release of the song by ‘Baby Skello,’ the Ethnic Relations Commission issued a statement on May 8, 2025, strongly condemning its content. That statement read. “The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) strongly condemns the recent circulation of a song by the performer known as Baby Skello, which portrays the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi in a vulgar, sexually explicit, and blasphemous manner. This content constitutes a deeply offensive act that strikes at the heart of the Hindu community’s religious beliefs and is wholly unacceptable in a society that values mutual respect and coexistence.”
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