DHAKA, June 01 – Bangladesh introduced a new series of banknotes on Sunday, marking a significant departure from tradition by removing the portrait of the nation’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The move signals a notable political shift following the ouster of his daughter, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, last year.
The redesigned notes, released in denominations of 200, 500, and 1000 taka, replace human imagery with depictions of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage and natural landmarks. Featured designs include the Shat Gombuj Mosque (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Kantaji Hindu Temple, the Ahsan Manzil palace, artwork by renowned painter Zainul Abedin, and the National Martyrs’ Memorial honoring independence war heroes.
“The new series will not feature any human portraits. Instead, they showcase our natural landscapes and traditional landmarks,” stated Bangladesh Bank spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan (via AFP).
The redesign breaks a longstanding practice. Notes issued after Bangladesh’s 1971 independence initially featured a map. Later designs under the ruling Awami League, led by Mujib’s daughter Sheikh Hasina, prominently displayed his image. During periods of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) governance, currency designs shifted towards archaeological and cultural sites.
The currency change coincides with deepening legal troubles for the exiled former Prime Minister. On the same Sunday, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal formally indicted Sheikh Hasina and two associates in absentia on charges including mass murder. The charges stem from her government’s alleged violent suppression of student-led protests last year, which ultimately led to her ouster nearly ten months ago.
Hasina, 77, whose Awami League party was banned last month, faces trial and has refused to return to Bangladesh, defying an extradition order. The central bank confirmed existing notes and coins featuring Mujib’s image will remain in circulation alongside the new designs, with more denominations to be released gradually.
