Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Dhaka, June 3, 2025 : In a controversial move that has sparked widespread debate, the interim government of Mohammad Yunus in Bangladesh has removed the iconic image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, from the country’s currency notes. This marks a significant shift in the country’s national symbolism and has drawn strong reactions from various quarters, particularly from those who view it as an attempt to erase the legacy of Bangladesh’s independence struggle.
In June, Bangladesh’s Central Bank released a new series of banknotes that no longer feature the image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose portrait had graced the country’s currency since its inception. Instead, the new notes now display images of religious landmarks, natural beauty, and various historical and cultural sites. Some of the images include Hindu and Buddhist religious places, as well as traditional landmarks and paintings depicting Bengal during British rule, created by the late artist Zainul Abedin.
This shift comes amidst ongoing changes by the Yunus-led government, which many view as a concerted effort to distance itself from the history associated with Mujibur Rahman, the leader who played a pivotal role in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. While his image was removed from the national curriculum some time ago, the removal of his likeness from the currency is seen as the most significant step yet in a broader campaign to alter the country’s historical narrative.
A spokesperson for Bangladesh Bank, Arif Hossain Khan, clarified the government’s stance on the change, stating, “From now on, the new series of notes will not feature the image of any individual. Instead, we will highlight the natural beauty and traditional landmarks of Bangladesh, representing the diverse heritage of our nation.”
However, the decision has raised significant concerns, particularly regarding the legitimacy of such a sweeping change. Critics argue that only an elected government has the right to make such fundamental alterations to the national symbols, particularly when it involves a figure as central to the country’s identity as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Given that Bangladesh is currently under the leadership of an interim government, led by Mohammad Yunus, many question whether such a decision falls within the authority of a caretaker administration.
In addition to the removal of Mujib’s image, the new currency notes also feature the image of Shahid Bedi, a prominent figure in the country’s history, a shift that is likely to stir further controversy given the ongoing efforts to shift the country’s narrative away from the 1971 Liberation War and the contributions of the founding father.
The new notes, totaling nine denominations, were introduced in stages, with three notes released on Sunday. The remaining denominations will be gradually introduced into circulation. While the government insists that the new designs reflect the country’s diverse cultural and historical heritage, critics argue that this is yet another attempt to erase the legacy of Bangladesh’s independence and the sacrifices made during the war.
This move follows a pattern of controversial actions under the Yunus administration, which has been accused of sidelining the contributions of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other key figures from the Liberation War. The removal of Mujib’s image from the currency is seen as a clear signal that the current government is eager to move away from the past and establish a new national identity, one that does not center on the ideals and sacrifices that led to Bangladesh’s independence.
As the debate continues to unfold, many are left questioning whether this shift in currency design is part of a broader strategy to rewrite Bangladesh’s history or simply a reflection of changing political priorities in the wake of the country’s evolving governance structure. For many, the removal of Mujib’s image from the currency represents a break from the ideals of the nation’s founding and a concerning shift in the country’s political direction.