Tamil Nadu Speaker JCD Prabhakar faces criticism over participation in pro-life rally
Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar attended a pro-life gathering at Stella Maris College in Chennai on Sunday, where participants raised slogans including “Abortion is Murder” and “Respect Life”. His presence and comments attracted criticism from several quarters, including the BJP, with critics arguing that a constitutional office-holder should avoid endorsing positions that could affect debates over women’s bodily autonomy.
The event was hosted by the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore and organised by CHARIS India under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.
Speaking to reporters at the event, Prabhakar said the Christian community strongly believes that abortion should not take place and described every child as a gift from God that should be valued by families and women. He also said he would raise the matter with Chief Minister Vijay.
BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran questioned whether the Speaker was attending the event as a constitutional authority or expressing a religious position. He pointed to Supreme Court rulings recognising women’s rights relating to bodily autonomy and personal liberty.
Nagenthran said the Speaker should uphold constitutional principles and secularism rather than support a religious viewpoint. He also recalled previous criticism directed at Prabhakar over the alleged use of Bible verses inside the Assembly. The BJP leader described the latest participation as regressive and said it diminished the stature of the Speaker’s office.