Gandhi contradicted himself on whether varna is essential to Hinduism

Evidence

In that article he says “How can a Muslim remain one if he rejects the Quran, or a Christian remain Christian if he rejects the Bible? If caste and varna are convertible terms, and if varna is an integral part of the shastras which define Hinduism, I do not know how a person who rejects caste, i.e., varna, can call himself a Hindu.” Why this prevarication? Why does the Mahatma hedge? Whom does he want to please? Has the saint failed to sense the truth? Or does the politician stand in the way of the saint? — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 1261

But readers of his article in reply to Mr Sant Ram will say “Yes.” In that article he says “How can a Muslim remain one if he rejects the Quran, or a Christian remain Christian if he rejects the Bible? If caste and varna are convertible terms, and if varna is an integral part of the shastras which define Hinduism, I do not know how a person who rejects caste, i.e., varna, can call himself a Hindu.” Why this prevarication? Why does the Mahatma hedge? Whom does he want to please? Has the saint failed to sense the truth? Or does the politician stand in the way of the saint? — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 1261

Categorization

• XREF: The saint/politician two-role diagnosis echoes the tension Ambedkar draws throughout between reform rhetoric and political convenience, parallel to his corruption-of-Hindu-leadership charge. — connects to: Gandhi’s apparent progress from caste to varna does not resolve the underlying problem; Vedic varna originally ignored birth and recognized only worth; Gandhi’s childlike temperament enabled self-deception about varna (+3 more)
• corroborated: 3 independent passages support this claim — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 1261

Broader Connections

• Gandhi’s massive collected works contain contradictory statements allowing any narrative to be cherry-picked #corroborates (0.75) — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 91
• Gandhi’s childlike temperament enabled self-deception about varna #qualifies (0.70)
• Gandhi’s caste views differed little from those of the Hindu right. #expands (0.70)
• Gandhi’s birth-to-worth varna reform is practically unenforceable and fails women #qualifies (0.60)