The Ministry of Education has addressed inaccuracies in a letter from Mr. Vishnu Bisram published in your columns. While the facts were brought to Mr. Bisram’s attention and acknowledged by him, he has declined to rectify the record. Therefore, we feel it is necessary to clarify the situation.
On May 9, 2025, Minister of Education Priya Manickchand unequivocally condemned the lyrics of an individual known as “Baby Skello.” She stated, “I stand with the Hindu community unreservedly in condemning the idiotic mumblings by some Baby Skello. The ‘singer’s’ apparent explanation, which seems aimed at absolving him of wrongdoing, concerns me more. He claims he was referring to someone’s mother and not Mother Latchmi. I wonder when and who allowed him to believe that singing anything so crass and abusive would be acceptable. Are we listening to [unacceptable, abusive content] and then complaining when it goes too far? How is that music? We have the power to censor artists ourselves—not by law, as I don’t believe in state censorship—but by consciously choosing not to support their brand and products.”
Minister Manickchand was among the first to denounce the offensive content. Throughout her career, both as a Minister and a citizen, she has consistently advocated for women’s rights and defended them against abuse.
Additionally, Minister Manickchand has frequently spoken out against inconsistent court decisions. On June 19, 2020, she raised concerns regarding the APNU/AFC’s unusual decision to file an application in the Court of Appeal, questioning whether they were “judge shopping” for favorable rulings. She stated, “At the end of this, we will all have to account to the freedom-loving citizens of this world and to generations to come for our actions.”
The Ministry is pleased that, even as an opposition member, she remained steadfast in her convictions, unafraid to challenge prevailing issues.
This response aims to set the record straight on these important matters.
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