Untouchables demanded a religion granting equal status, not reform of Hinduism

Evidence

What the Depressed Classes want is a religion that will give them equality of social status … nothing can be more odious and vile than that admitted social evils should be sought to be justified on the ground of religion. The Depressed Classes may not be able to overthrow inequities to which they are subjected. But they have made up their mind not to tolerate a religion that will lend its support to the continuance of these inequities. — Ambedkar, B R, Annihilation of Caste_ The Annotated…, 406

Categorization

• QUESTION: This anticipates the actual conversion decision — worth tracing how ‘religion that gives equality of status’ became a concrete criterion in Ambedkar’s later choice.