Activists Criticise Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar Over 'March for Life' Rally at Stella Maris

Activists have strongly criticised Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar for participating in the ‘March for Life’ rally held at Stella Maris College in Chennai on August 8 and August 9, 2026. Rights advocates questioned the presence of a constitutional office-holder at the two-day event, raising serious concerns about the message it sends regarding women’s reproductive autonomy and access to safe, legal abortion. The event was led by the Archbishop of Mylapore alongside other Christian leaders.

The ‘pro-life’ campaign advocated the protection of human life from conception to natural death. During the rally, Mr. Prabhakar reportedly said the gathering served as a reminder that human life has value even before birth. He described the event as an expression of the belief that every unborn child has dignity, and that every life possesses a future, purpose, and “God-given intention.” Videos circulating on social media showed the Speaker taking part in the rally as participants chanted, “Let’s stop abortion.”

Author-activist Shalin Maria Lawrence condemned Mr. Prabhakar’s involvement, describing it as “unwanted and wrong.” She highlighted that although the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, legalised abortion in India under specific conditions through authorised medical practitioners, the procedure remains a grey area in practice. Ms. Lawrence pointed out that many women continue to face shame and stigma, with many still forced to seek abortions at off-the-radar clinics.

Ms. Lawrence also condemned the Archbishop of Mylapore and other Christian leaders who led the event. She stated that at a time when activists are trying to normalise abortion, the Speaker lending his voice to the rally 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.

Further criticising the rally’s premise, Dr. Alka Barua, a project advisory committee member and abortion theme lead at CommonHealth India, stated that abortion itself can be considered pro-life when a woman’s health and life are at stake. Dr. Barua remarked that opposing abortion is anti-choice rather than pro-life, stressing that a woman's health and life are equally important and that the decision should ultimately be her choice.