Two statements are given, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): There was a broad agreement across the spectrum of the nationalist movement to abolish caste distinctions.
Reason (R): The dominant view in the nationalist movement was to treat caste as a social evil and as a colonial ploy to divide Indians.

Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation for (A)

The correct answer is Option 1: Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation for (A).

Assertion (A): There was a broad agreement across the spectrum of the nationalist movement to abolish caste distinctions. Correct. Leaders and organizations across the nationalist movement generally agreed that caste-based discrimination and distinctions were incompatible with the ideals of equality, national unity, and social justice. Although they differed on the methods and pace of reform, there was broad support for reducing and ultimately abolishing caste distinctions.
Reason (R): The dominant view in the nationalist movement was to treat caste as a social evil and as a colonial ploy to divide Indians. Correct. A widely held view within the nationalist movement was that caste divisions weakened national unity. Many leaders regarded caste as a social evil, and some also believed that colonial policies reinforced and exploited caste identities to divide Indian society.

Why is (R) the correct explanation for (A)? The belief that caste was a social evil and that caste divisions undermined national unity provided the basis for the broad agreement within the nationalist movement that caste distinctions should be abolished. Thus, the Reason directly explains why there was widespread support for ending caste distinctions.

NCERT: "Both Mahatma Gandhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar began organising protests against untouchability from the 1920s onwards. Anti-untouchability programmes became a significant part of the Congress agenda so that, by the time Independence was on the horizon, there was a broad agreement across the spectrum of the nationalist movement to abolish caste distinctions. The dominant view in the nationalist movement was to treat caste as a social evil and as a colonial ploy to divide Indians. But the nationalist leaders, above all, Mahatma Gandhi, were able to simultaneously work for the upliftment of the lower castes, advocate the abolition of untouchability and other caste restrictions, and, at the same time, reassure the landowning upper castes that their interests, too, would be looked after."