Bangladesh: Yunus-Led Interim Government Set To Remove 'Father Of The Nation' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Image From Currency Notes

Months after forced removal of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister, the Muhammad Yunus led interim government in Bangladesh begun the process to remove the image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, her father and the nation's founding figure, from its currency notes.

The Bangladesh Bank is printing new banknotes featuring elements from the July uprising, according to the Dhaka Tribune.

These protests, led by students, culminated in Hasina fleeing to India on 5 August.

According to the Bangladesh central bank, banknotes of Taka 20, 100, 500, and 1,000 are being printed on the instructions of the interim government.

“The new notes will not include image of 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” the paper reported, quoting the bank.

“I hope the new note could be released in the market within the next six months,” the report quoted Bangladesh Bank executive director Husneara Shikha as saying.

Officials from Bangladesh Bank and the Ministry of Finance reportedly said that Mujibur Rahman’s image will be phased out from existing notes.

While the redesign currently targets four denominations, the process will eventually extend to all currency notes.

In September, the Finance Institute Division of the Bangladesh Finance Ministry submitted a comprehensive design proposal for the revamped currency notes.

Mujibur Rahman’s legacy, widely revered as the Father of the Nation in Bangladesh, faced significant backlash during the protests.

Initially sparked by discontent over a job quota, the demonstrations saw statues and murals bearing his image vandalised as Sheikh Hasina fled to India and taken refuge here.

In her recent statements, Sheikh Hasina criticised Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of failing to protect the minorities, including Hindus.

The International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh denounced Hasina’s comments as “hate speech,” while national leaders claimed an ongoing smear campaign is targeting Yunus’s interim government.

Also Read: India’s Nuclear Power Plants Among The Safest In The World: Union Minister Jitendra Singh