Tamil Nadu Speaker sparks row at anti-abortion rally

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar has sparked a major political controversy after participating in an anti-abortion rally in Chennai, with opposition parties and activists condemning his remarks as contrary to women's rights and constitutional principles. The event, the 5th National March for Life, was held at Stella Maris College on August 8 and 9, 2026, and was organised by Catholic groups under the Catholic Bishops Conference of India.

Prabhakar, a leader of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party, addressed the gathering of over 5,000 people, stating that the rally was a reminder that life has value even before birth. He argued that every unborn child has dignity and a future, describing children as a "gift from God." In his speech, he traced a shift in societal attitudes from larger families to smaller ones, suggesting this mindset was the root cause of abortion. He also shared a personal anecdote about his wife, an ardent Catholic, who resisted his suggestion to terminate a pregnancy, framing it as an example of accepting God's will.

The Speaker's participation and comments drew immediate criticism. BJP state chief Nainar Nagendran questioned whether...