The issue of intercaste marriages is a cut and dry one because of their pragmatic characteristics.
First, let us set aside the rural and uneducated situations because intercaste marriages are not happening there anyway. Now, among the educated people intercaste marriages will happen only if two parties choose each other and they know each other well. The term “marriage” of two people MUST NOT be treated just as an exchange of some family ties and a shift of one human to the other. This is the most crucial act for one’s life where you need to grow with someone else. Well, then the role for choice is obvious - the people who have to grow with each other should be allowed/expected to make a decision. Then the castes do not enter the picture - it is the persons.
On the separate note, we avoid several ‘gotras’ for marriages simply because of the fact that very different genes would result in healthy offsprings. Two healthy educated people in love from different castes would fit the bill for having good offsprings as well.
Swami Dayanand himself opposed the caste system. According to his preachings with respect to caste, it is the total rejection as it is now known. Caste is not a natural account of a human's life nor as a truth from God. It is simply a means to organise society. Caste is formed only by one's character and not by birth.
Swami Dayanand fought against the soul repression that caste wrought upon the Indian people.
As a byproduct of intercaste marriages, the dowry system might get some relief too.
