Nainar Nagenthran Accuses Speaker, Minister of Promoting Religious Beliefs

CHENNAI — State BJP president Nainar Nagenthran on Monday accused Assembly Speaker J C D Prabhakar and Finance Minister N Marie Wilson of promoting the beliefs of a particular religion while holding constitutional positions.

In a social media post, Nagenthran alleged that Prabhakar had participated in an anti-abortion campaign organised by a Christian organisation in Chennai on Sunday. Pointing to constitutional responsibilities, Nagenthran questioned whether the Speaker was acting as the protector of the Constitution or as a preacher of a religion.

Nagenthran highlighted that several landmark Supreme Court judgments have upheld women’s rights and their freedom over their bodies. He stated that the Speaker's participation in an anti-abortion rally amounts to challenging the orders of the Supreme Court.

Warning about the impact on the constitutional post, Nagenthran stated that the Speaker is the protector of the Constitution, but is openly supporting an anti-abortion campaign and explicitly displaying his religious position. Nagenthran asserted that such actions will demean the office the Speaker holds.

In the same statement, Nagenthran also targeted Finance Minister N Marie Wilson over remarks made in the Assembly on Monday during the debate on the agriculture budget. During the debate, Wilson had stated that he was born a Christian and knew the language of love and peace.

Nagenthran criticized the remarks, stating that the minister should keep his personal experiences and beliefs to himself while discharging his official responsibilities as a member of the government.