Rajasthan Woman's Suicide Note Blames Regressive Aata-Sata Custom: Reports

Aata sata suicide: A married woman in Rajasthan who allegedly died by suicide has blamed the tradition of aata-sata for the step she took, reports said Thursday. The incident reportedly occurred earlier this week in Hempura village, Nagaur.

Suman Choudhary, 21, in her suicide note that has now gone viral online reportedly asked for the aata-sata practice to be shunned so women are safe. Popular in Rajasthan, aata-sata involves the 'exchange' marriage of family members alongside the bride and groom; Choudhary was married by this custom.

According to Times of India, family of the deceased previously alleged she was mentally ill and fell to her death inside a well. However, after suspicions of suicide arose following the circulation of a note attributed to Choudhary, police began investigations.

Aata Sata Suicide In Rajasthan Puts Spotlight On Patriarchal Wedding Customs

"If divorce or marrying against family wishes is not acceptable, then why is aata-sata acceptable? Because of such a social evil, lives of thousands of girls are destroyed when a 17-year-old girl is married to a 70-year-old man just because society is greedy of getting a good bride for their sons," Choudhary's three-page parting note reportedly reads.

1/2 इससे कई लड़कियों की जिंदगीयां बर्बाद हो चुकी है, इसे जल्द से जल्द बंद कर दिया जाए, लेकिन समाज के लोग नहीं माने, और डिप्रेशन तनाव के कारण #Suman_Choudhary ने 3 पेज का लेटर लिख कर आत्महत्या कर ली, और कहा मेरी मौत का जिम्मेदार यह समाज के लोग है। 🔴
1/3 ✍️@hanumanbeniwal pic.twitter.com/tPJPSc6YH5

— Rajendra Kumar Ambedkar 🇮🇳 (@Rajendr64868009) June 30, 2021

Between 2013 and 2015, Rajasthan's girl child ratio has dropped to 861/1000, according to government data. The latest data shows the ratio is even lower than the one recorded as far back as 2005 at 865/1000.

Choudhary's letter, which urges the youth to rebel against backward customs, has put a spotlight on patriarchal traditions and wedding rituals that more often than not impact women and their families negatively.

The incident from Rajasthan comes in the wake of multiple dowry deaths in Kerala in June, which have prompted a series of reformative measures in the state against gender-oppressive practices.