Vivekananda’s views on social and spiritual inequality were integral to his reform framework. He argued that the corruption of the caste system was responsible for India’s downfall and its subjugation by the Muslims and the British. Vivekananda urged the Hindus to reform the caste system by granting everyone the freedom to choose their caste. However, doing so was tantamount to dismantling the caste hierarchy, which Vivekananda did not favor. Building on the argument that the caste system preserved India’s unity and spiritual superiority, Vivekananda stated that the caste system must stay. It was natural for people with similar inclinations to form groups or castes. People must accept their position in the caste hierarchy and stop being jealous of or oppressing others. In other words, although Vivekananda sought to reform India, he did not intend to do so at the expense of the nation’s historical character. He did not desire to reform India by dismantling the caste system, but by making it less oppressive.