Tamil Nadu speaker says ‘life begins at conception’ at anti-abortion march Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar attended the 5th National March for Life as the chief guest on August 8 and 9.During the gathering, which protested abortion rights and advocated for the protection of unborn life, he reportedly said that “life begins at conception,” as cited by PTI.The event, hosted by the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore at Stella Maris College, drew more than 5,000 participants. The gathering also explicitly criticised the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.Prabhakar’s remarks echoed global anti-abortion sentiments expressed at the event, which focused on opposing abortion rights and advocating for the protection of unborn life.The remarks prompted state Health Minister K G Arunraj to clarify on Monday that abortions can be a medical necessity and are strictly regulated under national law.Responding to reporters during a press conference to announce the MBBS/BDS rank list for 2026-27, the Health Minister sought to address the controversy, saying he was unaware of the context in which the Speaker made the remarks and urging the public not to misinterpret them.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”Abortion is regulated through the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act,” the minister stated.”Legally, as per the current law, women can legally undergo an abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. In the medical field, across many circumstances, abortion is a definitive medical necessity, and it is something we must do.”Asked about the constitutional and political implications of the Speaker’s anti-abortion stance, the minister sought to distinguish the state’s health framework from Prabhakar’s personal views.“I do not know in what sense the Honourable Assembly Speaker made those comments. Please do not misunderstand it,” he said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAmit Shah To Speak On Student Protest Crackdown; Rahul Says ‘Not Interested In Fantasy Convos’CJP Core Committee Dispute: Two Youths On Hunger Strike In Abhijit Dipke’s Hometown Hospitalised‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam RowBihar Man Posed As IAS Officer, Claimed Doval Link; Police Seize Tesla, SUV And Imported Liquor’Mujhe Narendra Naam Se Nafrat Ho Gayi Hai’: PM Modi Interacts With India’s CWG Champions | Watch109 Years Later, MP Man Gets U.K. Response On War Loan ClaimSupriya Sule Says No Politics In PM Modi Meet As NCP-SP MPs Raise Maharashtra’s Key Demands‘Hitting Us On Head, Face’: Police Lathi-Charge Students During Assembly Gherao March In JharkhandModi Govt Going Slow On FCRA Bill To Woo Stalin’s DMK, Sharad Pawar’s NCP-SP For Delimitation?123Photostories10 iconic potato dishes from around the world every food lover should knowAugust jade plant care: 5 easy steps to encourage fuller, healthier growthFrom Ajay Devgn hosting the upcoming season of Crime Patrol to Madhuri Dixit returning as a host after 24 years: Bollywood stars and their TV debutsFlorida’s most unusual city names: The strange stories behind 10 names you probably pass without thinking about10 surprising foods you can cook in an air fryer (that aren’t fries or nuggets)Psychology explains why being ignored hurts more than being rejectedFrom loyalty to alertness: 7 low-maintenance dog breeds for homeownersYour body needs more than sleep: 6 pillars of wellness that impact your energy and mood5 yoga positions that can undo hours of sitting“Everything is in a state of flux”: Sadhguru explains why these two times of day are special for yoga123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warDelhi rainUP scholarshipTop TrendingCJPGurgaon Businessman Wife ArrestBengaluru Missing TechieBlinkit MumbaiHarbhajan SinghPune-Bengaluru Highway AccidentTelangana AccidentAbhijeet DipkeTarun TejpalShakeel Noorani
Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar attended the 5th National March for Life as the chief guest on August 8 and 9.During the gathering, which protested abortion rights and advocated for the protection of unborn life, he reportedly said that “life begins at conception,” as cited by PTI.The event, hosted by the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore at Stella Maris College, drew more than 5,000 participants. The gathering also explicitly criticised the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.Prabhakar’s remarks echoed global anti-abortion sentiments expressed at the event, which focused on opposing abortion rights and advocating for the protection of unborn life.The remarks prompted state Health Minister K G Arunraj to clarify on Monday that abortions can be a medical necessity and are strictly regulated under national law.Responding to reporters during a press conference to announce the MBBS/BDS rank list for 2026-27, the Health Minister sought to address the controversy, saying he was unaware of the context in which the Speaker made the remarks and urging the public not to misinterpret them.
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“Abortion is regulated through the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act,” the minister stated.“Legally, as per the current law, women can legally undergo an abortion up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. In the medical field, across many circumstances, abortion is a definitive medical necessity, and it is something we must do.”Asked about the constitutional and political implications of the Speaker’s anti-abortion stance, the minister sought to distinguish the state’s health framework from Prabhakar’s personal views.“I do not know in what sense the Honourable Assembly Speaker made those comments. Please do not misunderstand it,” he said.
