[bajirao]

>I come from a low caste. The only folks who have asked about my caste and asked if I am from a higher caste are white Americans due to my vegetarianism (voluntary for ethical reasons).

Because other Indians will identify your caste based on your last name, food habits, dialect, your family business (etc). They don't need to ask you.

[cscurmudgeon]

> Because other Indians will identify your caste based on your last name, food habits, dialect, your family business (etc). They don't need to ask you.

False. This is a broad generalization. Some large states in India use paternal names as last names.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patronymic#India

[sa1]

Only as a result of a successful movement against casteism in only a couple of Indian states.