New Delhi: A powerful voice for the voiceless is set to rise in Bangalore on August 9, as thousands from across the nation will unite for India’s 4th National March for Life a solemn yet resolute demonstration urging an end to abortion and a re-evaluation of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.
The event, spearheaded by CHARIS India in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and hosted by the Archdiocese of Bangalore, will commence with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. This spiritual beginning will set the tone for a full day of reflection, awareness, and advocacy. Following the Mass, participants will engage in a public gathering, view a pro-life exhibition, and march through the city to affirm the dignity of every unborn child.
This year’s march is particularly significant, coinciding with 54 years since the MTP Act was enacted in 1971. Since its implementation, the legislation has paved the way for what activists describe as a silent national tragedy with millions of lives lost to abortion. The statistics are sobering: over 15.6 million abortions were recorded in 2015 alone, equating to more than 42,000 procedures daily. Critics argue that the 2021 amendments, which expanded the permissible window for abortion up to 24 weeks and beyond in special cases, have opened the doors to sex-selective terminations, disability-based discrimination, and an unchecked underground abortion network.
The March for Life is not merely a protest, but a heartfelt expression of solidarity. Families, healthcare professionals, clergy, young people, and women who have endured the trauma of abortion will come together to bear witness to the sanctity of life and advocate for a culture that embraces both mother and child with compassion.
Reverberating through the movement is the enduring message of Saint Mother Teresa of Kolkata, who profoundly declared: "The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion. If a mother can kill her own child, what is left for you and me but to kill each other?" Her words continue to stir the conscience of a nation grappling with moral dilemmas cloaked in legislative language.
Having grown steadily since its inception, the National March for Life has become a symbolic beacon, challenging both the public and policymakers to reconsider what it means to protect life. Organizers of the 2025 edition hope that this year's turnout and unified voice will resound beyond Bangalore sending a clear and unshakable message across the country: India must choose life from conception to natural death.