Indians of all faiths join pro-life march as ‘voice of the voiceless’

Archbishop Francis Kalist emphasised that protecting life is not a matter bound by any single religion but a responsibility rooted in our shared humanity.

More than 2,500 people from across India’s religious divides gathered for a pro-life march held in Bangalore this month.

In the fourth annual march since its institution in 2021, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims joined in large numbers to affirm the value of human life.

Children from schools and colleges boosted the event with their participation. Sporting arm bands and holding placards with pro-life messages that “abortion is murder” and “euthanasia is wrong”, they vowed to be the “voice of the voiceless”.

The multi-faith presence reflected the march’s theme that “every life is a present, is precious and has a purpose”, said Fr Naveen Gladson, director of the Family Welfare Centre in the Archdiocese of Bangalore.

He told The Tablet that the main agenda of the march is to continue to raise awareness and to involve more secular participation from different religions and age groups.

The Archbishop of Pondicherry and Cuddalore Francis Kalist attended the event, alongside Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Thissur, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), and Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore, vice-president of the Latin-rite Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), who hosted the event.

More than 16 million abortions take place every year in India, said Archbishop Kalist, who is the Episcopal Advisor to Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Services (CHARIS) India and the CBCI’s lead for pro-life initiatives.

He said society must not only to listen to the “silent cry” of the unborn but also safeguard the elderly, the sick, and the vulnerable from neglect and from pressures toward euthanasia.

Archbishop Kalist called for coordinated efforts between bishops, priests, religious communities, educators and the laity to promote a “culture of life where life is cherished and defended at all stages”.

He emphasised that protecting life is not a matter bound by any single religion but a responsibility rooted in our shared humanity.

Organised by the diocesan Family Welfare Centre of Archdiocese of Bangalore and CHARIS India in collaboration with the CBCI and the Catholic National Service of Communion (CNSC), the National March for Life was held on 9 August – a day earlier than usual, as the original date clashed with the Dalits’ protest day. The regular date on 10 August marks the anniversary of India’s Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act which legalised abortion in 1971.

Amita Braganza, a member of the governing body of Respect for Life India, warned of rising cases of teen pregnancies, substance abuse, suicidal tendencies, addictions and abortion. Ahead of this year’s march, trained volunteers visited schools and colleges to spread awareness on prevention of substance abuse, abortions, teenage pregnancies and suicides, she said.

Fr Gladson explained the three-pronged approach to this teaching: “First we had the sessions for students, educated about the dignity and respect for life, then we celebrated pro-life Sunday across parishes in the archdiocese and thirdly we held a day-long seminar for the religious on various prolife themes of abortions, IVF, euthanasia and education to love and the Catholic teachings on the same.”

According to data from the National Crimes Record Bureau, in 2022, India recorded its highest number of suicides since 1966, at 170,924.

Braganza said that 1,250 students participated in the march, which was preceded by an exhibition on pro-life themes and the dedication of a memorial to the unborn child, depicted as the baby Jesus.

Fr Gladson said a memorial for the unborn was unveiled at the St Francis Xavier Cathedral and at Kalpally Cemetery.

Braganza, who has attended all four marches with her husband Mark, said that “this year two of our children Madhuri and Vineet also participated. It was a unique experience for them and a moment of prolife truth.”

The fifth National March for Life will be hosted by the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore in southern Tamil Nadu state on 10 August 2026.

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