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The question of identity as a race must be answered equivocally. From time to time, movements to declare an identity for Dalits of “original inhabitant” of India or past “lords of the earth” have arisen. Two questions relate the situation of Dalits to the theme of race and racism: are Dalits considered by higher castes to be an inferior race? Do Dalits think of themselves as a race? We should note that the Indian languages have no general word for “race” as it is used in the West. It is fairly clear that the isolation of Dalits and the violence against them can be compared to race prejudice, but they have a different basis and perhaps a different solution.