Activists question Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar’s participation in ‘pro-life’ rally

Activists have criticised Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar for participating in the ‘March for Life’, a ‘pro-life’ rally held at Stella Maris College in Chennai on Saturday (August 8, 2026) and Sunday (August 9, 2026).

The event, which advocates the “protection of human life from conception to natural death”, saw Mr. Prabhakar participate in a campaign that activists have criticised for promoting a fundamentalist position on abortion and reproductive rights. Activists questioned the participation of a constitutional office-holder in such a programme and raised concern over the message this could send on women’s reproductive autonomy and access to safe and legal abortion.

Mr. Prabhakar reportedly said the rally served as a reminder that life had value even before birth. He described the event as expressing the belief that every unborn child had dignity, and every life had a future, purpose and “God-given intention”. In videos circulating on social media, he is seen taking part in the rally as participants chant, “Let’s stop abortion.”

Author-activist Shalin Maria Lawrence condemned Mr. Prabhakar’s participation in the rally, calling it “unwanted and wrong”, particularly at a time when abortion, though legalised, remains a grey area in practice, as many women are still forced to seek abortions at off-the-radar clinics. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, legalised abortion in India, under specific conditions, providing women access to safe and regulated termination of pregnancy through authorised medical practitioners. She also condemned the Archbishop of Mylapore and other Christian leaders who led the event.

Ms. Lawrence said that at a time when activists were trying to normalise abortion, as women continue to face shame and stigma for having one, the Speaker lending his voice to the cause could set a wrong precedent. “Religious freedom is one thing, but tying morality to a human rights issue is equivalent to pushing women backwards,” she said.

Alka Barua, project advisory committee member and abortion theme lead at CommonHealth India, said people who organise such campaigns and marches often describe them as “pro-life” events, but abortion itself can be considered pro-life when a woman’s life and health were at stake. “It should be her choice. Her health is at stake. It depends on her ability. Opposing abortion is not pro-life; it is anti-choice. Women’s lives are equally important,” Dr. Barua added.