Damn! We're touching one of the most sensitive topics. I would request, please read this entirely before coming to any conclusion.

Let me start it off. The caste system based on birth is a misinterpretation.

Of course, a question may arise, why make such divisions? Why not let everyone be equal?

The answer is, it's impossible in this material world to not have any division. Four human divisions are natural. We have it even in our modern society, such as intellectuals, administrators, business people, and the working class. Compare these to chaturvarna.

Plato's ideal society

Interestingly, one of the Greek philosophers, Plato, talked about three divisions of an ideal society: philosophers, auxiliaries, and the producers.

https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2326/Plato-427-347-B-C-E.html

Go to the above link to learn more about Plato's political philosophy.

DiSC test

There is also a test called DiSC, where a person is classified into four divisions as per psychological mindset: D (dominance), I (influence), S (steadiness), and C (conscientiousness).

https://psychology.wikia.org/wiki/DISC_assessment

Go to the above link to learn more about DiSC classification.

Did communism succeed?

Interestingly, some communist regimes tried to end social hierarchy by saying all are equal, but if you read its history, they ended up creating two divisions: rich and poor. "All humans are equal, but some are more equal." The famous quote from Animal Farm if you have read the book.

If you are not aware of what happened in these communist countries, then this fact will shock you that 100 million people were killed during these communistic regimes. It all started with the idea of treating everyone equally, but it led to the death of so many people.

Also, you will come across countries with welfare states which have again faced many failures.

Of course, I do not deny that the caste system is/was a terrible system, and still, many people are suffering because of it. Also, I'm in no way justifying the caste system, which is based on birth. I'm just saying these divisions are natural and unavoidable in any human civilization. You can't avoid classifying people even if you superficially try to make everyone equal.

Many Indians get so discouraged with the caste system that they still exist in India. Many of them even consider leaving the country because they think western countries are free from any sort of discrimination.

So, is this the right solution?

Well, not exactly because there are chances one may face discrimination based on color. That's racism. You see, the problem is discrimination; it's not about a specific country.

Let us analyze modern measures that have been taken to get rid of the caste system or racism.

Modern solution

1) Reservation system

The basic idea of the reservation system is to provide opportunities to those who were once oppressed by the caste system. This system has been able to provide proper education, jobs, and other government facilities to those who were bereft of these once.

However, the critiques of the reservation system argue that this system has led to "reserved than deserved" dynamics. Another powerful argument is that, say, a lower caste person who has a financially well-to-do background still gets all reserved benefits. Someone from the upper caste who may not be financially stable doesn't benefit from the reservation system.

2) Social justice

The core idea of social justice is based on protecting/empowering minorities and other oppressed classes.

As per social justice, the majority of any country will have power no matter what. So, it tends to see society into two categories: privileged and underprivileged. The critiques of social justice often argue that social justice warriors ignore or rather hide issues that come from minorities or migrants. So the idea that is based on proving justice and equality to all ends up doing discrimination against the majority.

Therefore, we can see the rise of the right-wing not just in India but the almost entire western world.

What is the solution to the caste system or discrimination?

To quote Henry David Thoreau. "One hacking at the root of evil is more effective than hacking at the branches of evil."

Let's talk about the solution. The solution is developing spiritual consciousness. Bhagavad Gita, chapter 2, explains we should realize that our existence is beyond our mortal body. The moment we realize we are not the body but an eternal soul. We become free from all bodily designations. If you analyze the psychology of racist, bigot, or casteist people, you will notice a certain mindset. Racists think because of their skin color; they are superior. Bigots believe because of their religious tag, and they have this holier than thou attitude toward other religions. Casteists think because of their high born; they are superior. It all starts when we associate ourselves with our external identities.

It's interesting when a person dies, he or she simply becomes a dead body. No identity, no religion, nothing. Just a dead body. We often say the person has "passed on" or "passed away," but the person's dead body is lying there, then who has passed away?

As per Bhagavad Gita, it is the soul that passes on. So, when we realize we are a spiritual soul (atman), not the body, then we see every living being have that same spiritual soul like us. So, there is no reason to discriminate against someone based on caste, skin color, and so on.

Therefore, further Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita, 5.18: "The humble sages, by virtue of true knowledge, see with equal vision a learned and gentle brāhmaṇa, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste]."

Bhagavad Gita. 6.29: "A true yogī observes Me in all beings and also sees every being in Me. Indeed, the self-realized person sees Me, the same Supreme Lord, everywhere."

When one sees the Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart, then what state of mind such a person attains?

Lord Krishna further says in Bhagavad Gita 18.54: "One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. Such a person never laments or desires to have anything who is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state, one attains pure devotional service unto Me."

In my humble opinion, if we try to develop spiritual consciousness, then we can see everyone with an equal vision and become sama sarveshu bhuteshu (equally treating all living beings).

Afterthought

Some people may find this solution absurd, impractical, or too superficial. However, it is possible if we have role models. In fact, Bhagavad Gita hinted at it in 3.21: "Whatever action a great person performs, common people follow. And whatever standards such a person sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues."

So we need role models.

However, just for the sake of argument, let's say Bhagavad Gita's solution is imperfect. Do you have any better solution for all this?