Mangalore: B. Janardhana Poojary says the word ‘widow’ hurts women who have no husbands and should not be used in public, but the term “honourable women” could be used. What will otherwise honourable women, like MPs, Ministers, MLAs and entrepreneurs, think if the reference is common to both, it is not clear. The ceremony was conducted at Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple on October 3 Monday.

Speaking on the occasion of a special Chandika Homa, in the presence of as many as 2300 women who were widows, but who are adorned now with sarees, kumkum, bangles and flowers distributed by him on Monday at a special ceremony, Poojary performed the arathi (waving of lights) for them, and told reporters later that women had equal rights and should be respected whether they have a spouse or not. He asked widows to wear red ‘Kumkum’ on the foreheads as a symbol of self-respect.

Ms.Kripa Alva, a widow of 19 years, also spoke on the occasion. Mulky TP member Vimala Poojary also lauded BJP’s honour widows during Mangalore Dasara.