DHAKA, Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has announced plans to remove the image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s founding father, from its currency notes. The new currency, set to enter circulation within six months, will instead feature religious structures, Bengali traditions, and graffiti from the July uprising, marking a significant break from the nation’s historical legacy.
Mujibur Rahman, affectionately known as “Bangabandhu” (Friend of Bangladesh), led the country to independence and was the father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, the Yunus-led interim government has been distancing itself from Rahman’s legacy, with previous actions including the removal of his portraits from the president’s official residence and workplace and the toppling of his statue in central Dhaka.
This move underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to reshape Bangladesh’s identity and historical narrative.