Hubballi: If we are still celebrating Women's Day, it means that women in our society have not received equality in terms of opportunity and living a dignified life, said Leader of Opposition in Assembly Jagadish Shettar.

Speaking after inaugurating the International Women's Day Programme organised by the Hubballi-Dharwad Central Assembly Constituency BJP Mahila Morcha at R N Shetty Hall in Hubballi on Saturday, he said, a society cannot be called developed unless and until both men and women get equal opportunity and rights.

He said, the BJP was in favour of 33% reservation for women in both assembly and parliament, and he advised women elected representatives not just depend on the reservation seats, but also contest in general seats and win them with their dedicated service to society.

Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi said, behind every successful man there is a woman, however, in majority of cases there is no need for a man to be behind a successful woman, as she is self-capable to achieve any greats independently.

"The grit of a widow in bringing up her kids is exemplary of the strength a women posses," he said.

It is unfortunate that women in India are being either used as a 'product of pleasure' or for being harassed.

He asked women elected representatives not to let their male relatives, especially husbands, to misuse their power. The reservation in Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayats have been given to empower women and not to give power to husbands of women elected representatives.

Win for BJP

One of the major reason for BJP winning Uttar Pradesh elections was the party's stand against the Triple Talaq.

He said, the party does not look at the issue on religious basis but on the basis of gender equality.

Speaking on the occasion, Shilpa Shettar, wife of Jagadish Shettar, said that women should become a force to reckon with and not a tool for men at the time of elections. She said, the BJP should give at least one seat to a woman candidate in the twin cities in the ensuing assembly election.

Hubballi-Dharwad Central Assembly Constituency Mahila Morcha President Uma Mukhund said, it is unfortunate that we celebrate only birth anniversary of only male leaders and hardly that of any women leaders.

This has to change, she said, and added that the party has decided to celebrate the entire March month as Women's Month.