Chennai: Terming the "thali" or "mangalsutra", traditionally worn around the neck by married Hindu women as long as their spouses are alive, a symbol of slavery or oppression, 21 married women discarded it at a function organised by Tamil outfit DK here on Tuesday.

In a statement issued here DK said 21 married women removed their "thali" on the 124th birth anniversary of B.R.Ambedkar, the father of the Indian constitution.