Bigoted education equips us with nothing but a tunnel vision. I had a learned friend having a doctorate in Islamic studies from a renowned university. Once, I discussed with him an article of the Constitution that says, 'Only a Muslim is qualified to become the president or the prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.' I asked him why not a non-Muslim. As a contrast, I cited the example of APJ Abdul Kalam, a Muslim president of a non-Muslim country, India. He regurgitated what he was finding hard to rein in: "A non-Muslim stands incapacitated to run the affairs of an Islamic country while a Muslim is qualified to head a non-Muslim state."

All the constitutional bindings for minority rights and all the religious dictats ensuring space and respect for minorities stand null and void when we see sanitation workers, who belong to minority communities, working in drains, sewers and gutters. After all, why are only minorities marginalised for the sanitation work? Even if they do such an unsung commendable service, why are they then stigmatised? The........

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