Metamorphosis of Dalit identities

Concealing caste identity neither transforms society nor curbs caste hierarchy.

Unlike the identities of ethnic and tribal groups, those of Dalits are still concealed from the public. The better a Dalit is at hiding their caste identity, deemed as ‘ritually polluting,’ the easier will be their life, particularly in relatively anonymous spaces of the cities like Kathmandu. Given the widespread caste hate and consequent exclusion and harassment, an estimated 60-70 percent of Dalits still hide their caste by tweaking or faking their surnames to rent properties even in the capital.