National Unity, a three-dimensional view

• M.K. Gandhi was the primary spokesperson of the first two axes Hindu unity and Hindu-Muslim unity. He declared himself a Hindu when that category was still contested
• “I find peace in the Hindu religion… I studied other religions also, and I decided that whatever its defects and drawbacks, Hinduism alone could be the religion for me. That is what I feel and that is why I call myself a Sanatani Hindu,”- Mahatma Gandhi
• Gandhi attempted to interpret Hinduism in an increasingly inclusive manner. He insisted on its legitimacy as a historical category independent of the subcontinent’s encounter with colonialism and other religious traditions. 
• Mahatma Gandhi was an outspoken critic of the caste system in India. He believed that it was a harmful and unjust system that divided people and prevented them from living in harmony
• Gandhi believed that the caste system was not part of true Hinduism. He argued that the Vedas, the oldest Hindu scriptures, do not teach the idea of caste. He also pointed out that there are many different castes in Hinduism, and that they have changed over time. This suggests that the caste system is a social construct, not a religious one
• Gandhi believed that the caste system was harmful because it created social inequality and injustice. He argued that it prevented people from rising to their full potential, and that it led to discrimination and violence.
• Gandhi also believed that the caste system was incompatible with his vision of a united and independent India. He argued that a caste-ridden society could not be a truly free and democratic one
• Gandhi's views on the caste system were not universally shared. Many Hindus, including some of his own followers, disagreed with him. However, Gandhi's criticisms of the caste system helped to raise awareness of the issue and to challenge its legitimacy
• Gandhi distinguished between the ancient Varna system and the more rigid caste system that had developed over centuries. He argued that the Varna system, which categorized people based on their professions and skills, had a more flexible and less discriminatory character. However, he acknowledged that the caste system had distorted the Varna system and created a hierarchy of discrimination.

• Annihilation of Caste: Ambedkar famously called for the "annihilation of caste." He believed that the caste system was not just a social hierarchy but a deeply entrenched form of social discrimination and oppression. He argued that caste divisions violated the principles of equality, justice, and human dignity
• Ambedkar was a staunch advocate for the social and political equality of all individuals, regardless of their caste or social background. He argued that true democracy could only be achieved when caste-based discrimination and untouchability were completely eradicated
• Ambedkar saw the conversion of Dalits to Buddhism as a means of escaping the caste system's shackles.
• In 1956, he led a mass conversion ceremony in Nagpur, where he and thousands of his followers converted to Buddhism. He believed that Buddhism's teachings, which promoted equality and non-discrimination, were more in line with his vision for a just society.
• Ambedkar played a pivotal role in the inclusion of provisions for reservation (affirmative action) for Scheduled Castes (Dalits) in the Indian Constitution. He argued that such measures were necessary to uplift marginalized communities and provide them with opportunities for education and employment.