Dhaka, Feb. 8 -- The interim government has turned religious and ethnic minorities into "second-class citizens" over the past one and a half years, Dhaka University Professor Robaet Ferdous says.

"The achievement of the 18-month interim government is that Hindus, Buddhists and Christians in Bangladesh have been permanently reduced to second-class citizens," said Ferdous, a professor of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University.

His remarks came on Sunday at a press briefing held at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity. The briefing was organised by Citizens for Human Rights after visiting minority community members' homes that were set on fire in the Raozan and Mirsharai Upazilas of Chattogram.

At least 19...