A Chutney artiste has come under heavy fire for desecrating the grounds of a world-famous Hindu temple in Carapichaima by filming a music video for his 2017 Chutney song on the compound without permission.
Rick Jacob (Rick J’s) 2017 Chutney Soca song ‘Roll Yuh Hips’ was relatively unknown until social media users began sharing the music video which showed the artiste dancing and singing in front of the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre’s Ashram in Carapichaima.
The ashram’s 85ft Hanuman Murti was widely showcased in the video and Jacob was seen kneeling before the prayer altars in some parts of the video. The statue, consecrated in 2003, is the tallest in the Western hemisphere and second tallest in the world according to Destination Trinidad and Tobago’s website.
However, with the lyrics inviting women to roll their hips, Hindus and non-Hindus alike were up in arms, accusing Jacob of disrespecting the temple and the religion.
In retaliation on his Facebook page early yesterday morning, Jacob’s posted, “If ur a hindu and u hv a jande in yuh yard dont hold no partites in alyuh yard dont play no alkiline next to alyuh jande because thats a disrespect yuh feel meh after all my hard work this is how my indian ppl repay me by burning my name to the ground but i coming for all of alyuh wait i have alot to say also.”
A short while later he posted, “I want alyuh addess me on the streets when alyuh see me come and ask meh why i do the video dey and i go tell alyuh since alyuh dho believe we get permission.”
However, in a press release yesterday, president of the Yoga Centre, Ramesh Persad-Maharaj, said Jacob’s never got permission to use the compound.
“The public is hereby informed that the video by Rick J who poses as a chutney singer was done on the sacred grounds of our Ashram without our knowledge. Apparently, he chose a day and time when the Temple was closed and nobody was around to prevent him from doing his mischief,” Persad-Maharaj said.”
“The video is a violation of the sanctity Hindus have for their deities and places of worship. It is disgraceful and an insult to all Hindus and persons who respect places of worship.”
He called on Jacob to remove the video and apologise to the Hindu community, adding, “I would like to mention that it is a criminal offense for any person to behave indecently in any place of divine worship at any time. I therefore request him to act promptly to avoid embarrassment and legal costs.”
The T&T Guardian tried contacting Jacob via social media but he did not respond to questions.
Checks for the video on Youtube revealed it’s content had been blocked and it was listed as private.