Any division of India on a religious basis as between Hindus and Muslims, as proposed by the Muslim League today, cannot separate the followers of these two principal religions of India, for they are spread out all over the country. Even if the areas in which each group is in a majority are separated, huge minorities belonging to the other group remain in each area. Other religious groups, like the Sikhs, are split up unfairly against their will and placed in two different states. In giving freedom to separate to one group, other groups are denied that freedom . . .
If the economic aspects of separation are considered, it is clear that India as a whole is a strong and more-or-less self-sufficient economic unit. If the division is made to separate the predominately Hindu and Muslim areas, the Hindu areas will not be so hard hit. The Muslim areas, on the other hand, will be economically backward. Thus, the odd fact emerges that those who today demand separation will suffer the most from it.
It is difficult to imagine any free state emerging from such confusion, and if something does emerge, it will be full of contradictions and problems.
Which of the following religious groups would have agreed with the author of the reading passage above?
Hindus
Buddhists
Sikhs
