CHANDIGARH: A couple committed suicide as they could not accept the 'Atta Batta' (matrimonial barter) system prevalent in Haryana , otherwise infamous for honour killings. "This is not a suicide, but a murder by society," wrote Jagatpal, the 24-year old man in his eight page suicide note recovered from the room where he committed suicide with his beloved Meena Rani.According to information, Jagatpal, a resident of Mochiwala village, was a lab technician and had a love affair with Meena, a student of Kurukshetra University Some months back, Meena's brother got married and as per the matrimonial barter practice in Haryana, Meena was engaged with a member of family of her elder brother's in-laws..But it was not acceptable to both Jagatpal and Meena. The couple on Sunday checked into a hotel in Kurukshetra, posing as husband and wife.On Monday night, Meena allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison and Jagatpal hanged himself with her dupatta from the ceiling fan.Inspector Prateek Kumar, SHO, Kurukshetra City police station, said a suicide note was found in the room.Sources said Jagatpal not only criticized and blamed the medieval system but also wrote that he could not bear to see Meena marry someone else. While apologising to his parents, Jagatpal said Meena had threatened to commit suicide after marriage.Reacting strongly to the incident, Suman Dahiya, former vice-chairperson of the Haryana State Women Commission, said, "The old days are over. Parents need to reciprocate to the emotions of children who honor their decision. Such practices of matrimonial barter are not successful in the times when girls are capable of taking their own decisions. The society must wake up to this issue, especially when it comes to Haryana."Prof Manjit Singh, former head of the department of sociology, Panjab University, said, "The medieval system is prevalent not only in Haryana but other parts of the country, especially tribal belts. But this is not acceptable in educationally forward areas. Effective steps, especially counselling of all is the need of the hour."

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