Speaking candidly, In India, if any two persons are known to each other for a long time, then they would also know each other's caste. So Why is this caste so important for us? Some feel pride in saying out their caste and some people feel like "us" when they find their own caste people. In India, people also get married very often in the same community. I would like to elaborate on this particular caste system.
In legal terms, discrimination on caste, religion or race is a crime. But the problem is that we still have this discrimination in mind.
People say there are brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas and sudras in our society. Yes, I agree but not in this society. There is a difference between the caste system and varna system.
During Vedic period, people are categorized into four divisions (called varnas). This is also explained in Vedas and Bhagavad Gita. For one to attain spirituality and reach God, one has to give up his materialistic desires and surrender himself to God with a pure mind. To attain these qualities, one must become a brahmin. I am not talking about the Brahmins in our present society. "Brahmin" means who have the brahma knowledge. Brahma knowledge means Vedic knowledge. The person who knows Vedas and work for God (praying to God) is regarded as a Brahmin. A Brahmin does not work under anyone. He reports only to God. Brahmin Varna is considered the most utthama varna (superior varna) because becoming a Brahmin would help people to attain spirituality.
The second Varna called Kshatriyas or warriors were considered as a next superior varna followed by Brahmin. People who used to go to war and protect their kingdoms from invaders were called as Kshatriyas. Kshatriyas used to take help from Brahmins and Brahmins were respected by every varna.
The third varna called Vaishyas are considered inferior varna to Kshatriyas. Vaishyas used to help the society in the production of crops and in trading. So the agriculturists and business people are all considered Vaishyas. They used to help people in getting basic needs.
The fourth varna called Sudras are the people who are dependent on the three varnas.
Varnas are not inherited, unlike caste does. A Brahmin's son having no knowledge of Vedas was considered to be a non-brahmin. Even a brahmin's son who knows Vedas but still does not follow the principles of Vedas was also considered as a non-Brahmin like for instance, Aswatthama who was a son of Dronacharya. A kshatriya's son used to become a Brahmin if he learned Vedas and attain spirituality through meditation and praying to God like for instance, Maharushi Viswamitra. Even the great sage Vashista Maharshi was not born to a Brahmin. The word brahmin is not a race. It indicates the people who were well educated in Vedas, good-natured and helpful to the society.
A brahmin's son has a greater chance of inheriting knowledge from his parents and become a brahmin. For instance, a doctor's son can have a greater influence from his father to become a doctor. A lawyer's son can learn from his father and it becomes easy for him to become a lawyer. But that does not mean that a doctor's son is considered a doctor even if he is an engineer. A lawyer's son who is a doctor is never called a lawyer. If we call them that way, it is our ignorance.
The present caste system is taken advantage of the varna system and modified the way how that was. As per Bhagavad Gita, in Kali Yuga, everyone is born a Sudra. People who are well educated also deeply believe in the caste system. Caste system is being seen like a breed. In the name of caste, people maintain groups, meetings, etc. and help their caste people to grow better in the society. The caste system is used in gaining votes during political elections.
What are we getting out from this madness of caste system? Are we educated or not? If you are well educated and if you believe in science, then science would condemn the caste system and proves that all human beings are same. If you believe in God and Vedas, still you need to accept that all human beings are same. In either way, you need to accept the truth. But people who believe that all humans are not same and they are born different, then these self-proclaimed casteists should be considered having half knowledge.
People complain that corruption is one reason for our country's slow progress in the economy but would you rule out that caste system is also one of the main reasons? Be rational and change the society. If you still can't change the society, don't lose hope and never give up in changing the society.
Thank you
Harsha