Months after the ousting of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister, Bangladesh is set to remove the image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation’s founding leader and Hasina’s father, from its currency notes. The move comes as part of a broader redesign initiated by the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Bangladesh Bank has announced plans to issue redesigned notes in denominations of 20, 100, 500, and 1,000 Taka, featuring motifs commemorating the July uprising—a student-led movement that forced Sheikh Hasina to flee the country on August 5.
The new notes will exclude Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s image, instead highlighting religious landmarks, Bengali cultural elements, and graffiti from the uprising. “We hope to release the new notes into circulation within six months,” said Husneara Shikha, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank.
The Finance Ministry confirmed that the redesign process will begin with these four denominations and gradually extend to other currency notes.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Legacy Under Scrutiny
The removal of Mujibur Rahman’s image signals a significant departure from decades of political tradition, where his legacy as “Bangabandhu” or Father of the Nation was deeply embedded in the national narrative. Statues and murals of Mujibur Rahman were targeted during the protests that led to Hasina’s exile, reflecting growing dissent against his symbolic representation in governance.
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Critics argue that Mujibur Rahman’s legacy has become a contentious issue amid allegations of authoritarianism under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership. The protests that began over a controversial job quota evolved into a broader movement questioning the nation’s governance and political history.
Interim Government’s Role in Reshaping National Identity
Under the leadership of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, the interim government has sought to pivot the country’s focus toward new symbols of unity and resilience. By highlighting the July uprising and cultural landmarks, the administration appears to be fostering a narrative that resonates with contemporary socio-political sentiments.
The decision to redesign currency notes is seen as a bold move by the interim government to redefine Bangladesh’s national identity. However, it has sparked mixed reactions among the populace, with supporters hailing it as a step toward inclusivity and critics decrying it as an erasure of history.
Sheikh Hasina remains in exile in India, and her political future remains uncertain as the interim government solidifies its authority.
The redesigned currency notes are expected to enter circulation within six months, marking a significant symbolic shift in Bangladesh’s political and cultural landscape. As the country grapples with this transformation, the move underscores the evolving dynamics of leadership, legacy, and national identity in a post-Hasina era.
