Saturday, March 29, 2025
Dhaka | June 2, 2025 – In a controversial shift, Bangladesh’s interim government has unveiled newly designed currency notes that exclude the image of the nation’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, popularly known as “Bangabandhu”. The announcement was made by Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus on Monday, sparking a nationwide debate over heritage, identity, and political symbolism.
For over five decades since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, Mujibur Rahman’s portrait has been a prominent feature on every banknote issued by the Bangladesh Bank. The move to drop his image is being interpreted by critics as a deliberate attempt to weaken his legacy and influence.
Instead of human portraits, the new notes will feature cultural, historical, and religious landmarks—including prominent Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries—alongside Islamic architectural heritage. According to government officials, this change aims to depoliticize national symbols and represent the country’s diverse cultural roots.
Speaking on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Chief Adviser Yunus shared that he received prototypes of six redesigned banknotes following a high-level advisory council meeting. The new designs, he said, reflect “Bangladesh’s historical and archaeological architecture”.
Arif Hussain Khan, a spokesperson for Bangladesh Bank, confirmed that under the new series, “No human portraits will appear. Instead, the notes will depict natural scenes and traditional heritage sites.”
The redesigned denominations currently include 1,000 Taka, 50 Taka, and 20 Taka notes. Officials also clarified that existing notes and coins bearing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait will remain legal tender and circulate alongside the new ones.
However, the decision has reignited political tensions. Opposition leaders and civil society groups allege that this is part of a broader effort by the Yunus-led interim government to erase Mujib’s contributions to the nation. The move follows similar steps, such as the removal of his statues from public locations and revisions to textbooks that downplay his role in the 1971 Liberation War.
Adding further complexity, the new currency rollout comes amid heightened international scrutiny over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh. By including images of Hindu and Buddhist religious sites, the interim government appears to be responding to global pressure to address concerns about declining minority rights in the Muslim-majority nation.
Earlier this year in April, the government halted the printing of currency bearing Bangabandhu’s image, causing a sudden cash shortage across the country. Bangladesh Bank reportedly requires around 1.5 billion new notes annually to meet demand but lacks the infrastructure to replace all existing currency swiftly, especially given the country’s large informal economy, which accounts for approximately 40% of GDP and relies heavily on cash transactions.
While officials defend the change as a step towards unity and inclusiveness, critics argue it reflects a dangerous trend of erasing history and politicizing identity. As Bangladesh heads toward future elections, the new banknotes have become a symbolic battleground in the fight over national memory and cultural representation.
