A recent article on the web page explores how caste influences the choices and preferences of young Indians who use dating apps. The article cites examples of people who explicitly mention their caste or sub-caste on their bios or prompts, such as “Interested in only Gaur Brahmin boys” or “Munde Jattan De”. The article also notes how some users display symbols of caste pride, such as chest hair, Royal Enfield bikes, or mythological figures.
Caste Discrimination and Violence in India
The article contrasts the caste-based declarations on dating apps with the harsh reality of caste oppression and violence in India. The article mentions the latest report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which puts Rajasthan in second place when it comes to atrocities against Dalits. The article also shares personal stories of Dalit friends who face discrimination and abuse in their villages and workplaces. The article also recounts the tragic fate of Roshan Mahawar and Pinki Saini, a Dalit-Savarna couple who were allegedly killed by the woman’s father.
Caste Endogamy and Exclusion
The article argues that dating apps could have been a platform to challenge the deep-seated obsession with endogamy, which is the practice of marrying within one’s own caste or community. The article suggests that dating apps could have opened up spaces for intimacy that went beyond identity signifiers, such as caste, religion, or class. However, the article laments that dating apps have become just another extension of the exclusionary society, where inter-caste marriages are still frowned upon. The article questions the role of dating apps in perpetuating the idea of endogamy and othering.
