Gandhi redefined varna from aptitude-based to birth-based assignment

Evidence

What is the nature of the varna for which the Mahatma stands? Is it the Vedic conception as commonly understood and preached by Swami Dayanand Saraswati and his followers, the Arya Samajists? The essence of the Vedic conception of varna is the pursuit of a calling which is appropriate to one’s natural aptitude. The essence of the Mahatma’s conception of varna is the pursuit of one’s ancestral calling, irrespective of natural aptitude. — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 1256

Categorization

• DEFINE: Distinguishes the Dayanand/Vedic varna (aptitude-based, no birth criterion) from Gandhi’s ancestral-calling rendering.