Activists have expressed concern over the participation of Tamil Nadu Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar in the ‘March for Life’, a ‘pro-life’ rally held at Stella Maris College in Chennai on August 8 and 9, 2026. The event advocates for the protection of human life from conception to natural death, and Mr. Prabhakar’s involvement has been criticized for promoting a fundamentalist position on abortion and reproductive rights.
Activists have questioned the participation of a constitutional office-holder in such a programme, raising concerns over the message this could send on women’s reproductive autonomy and access to safe and legal abortion. Mr. Prabhakar reportedly stated that the rally served as a reminder that life had value even before birth, and that every unborn child had dignity and a future purpose.
Author-activist Shalin Maria Lawrence condemned Mr. Prabhakar’s participation in the rally, calling it ‘unwanted and wrong’, particularly at a time when abortion remains a grey area in practice. She also criticized the Archbishop of Mylapore and other Christian leaders who led the event. Ms. Lawrence emphasized that the Speaker’s involvement could set a wrong precedent, as activists are trying to normalize abortion and reduce the shame and stigma associated with it.
Alka Barua, project advisory committee member and abortion theme lead at CommonHealth India, argued that people who organize such campaigns often describe them as ‘pro-life’ events, but abortion itself can be considered pro-life when a woman’s life and health are at stake. She emphasized that opposing abortion is not pro-life, but rather anti-choice, and that women’s lives are equally important.
