Bangladesh to Replace Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Image on Currency Notes

Dhaka: Months after Sheikh Hasina was ousted as prime minister, Bangladesh has started the process of removing the image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, her father and the founding figure of the nation, from its currency notes.  

Bangladesh Bank is printing new bills that feature elements from the July uprising, which saw student-led protests that forced Hasina to flee to India on August 5. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed the role of Chief Adviser, leading an interim government.

The central bank stated that Taka 20, 100, 500, and 1,000 banknotes are being printed based on the interim government's instructions.  

"The new notes will not feature the image of 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," the bank was quoted as saying. Instead, religious structures, Bengali traditions, and "graffiti" from the July protests will be included in the design.  

“I hope the new notes will be available within the next six months,” said Husneara Shikha, an executive director at Bangladesh Bank. According to the report, both bank and Ministry of Finance officials confirmed that Mujibur Rahman’s image would be removed from the existing notes. Initially, the design of the four notes is being changed, with others to follow in phases.  

In September, the Finance Ministry's Finance Institute Division submitted a detailed design proposal for the new bills.  

Mujibur Rahman’s legacy, often referred to as the Father of the Nation, came under scrutiny during the protests, which began over a contentious job quota. His statues and murals were targeted as Hasina fled to India, where she is reportedly still residing.  

Hasina has recently criticized Yunus, accusing him of failing to protect minorities, particularly Hindus. Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal has condemned her comments as “hate speech,” while the nation's leaders claim a smear campaign is being waged against Yunus's government.