Sheikh Mujib Removed: The Evolution of Currency Design in Bangladesh
“For the first time since independence, Bangladesh’s currency is without the Father of the Nation.”
This single sentence captures a momentous change that is stirring conversations across the country and beyond. On June 1, 2025, Bangladesh launched a new series of banknotes that notably omit the image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of the nation. For over five decades, his portrait graced every denomination of the Bangladeshi Taka. The change is more than a design update—it marks a shift in political tone, cultural representation, and national identity.
This article explores the origins, implications, and controversies surrounding the new currency, providing a deep dive into how a banknote can reflect a nation’s evolving narrative.
A Historic Shift in Bangladeshi Banknotes
Bangladesh has always used its currency as a canvas of national identity and political allegiance. When the country achieved independence in 1971, early notes emphasized its new geographic and political identity by featuring the map of Bangladesh. Over time, under successive governments, the banknotes began focusing heavily on the image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, symbolizing unity, sacrifice, and the liberation struggle.
However, in 2025, the release of new Tk 1,000, Tk 50, and Tk 20 notes marked a turning point. For the first time:
- No human portraits are featured.
- Designs now spotlight cultural heritage, religious diversity, and national landmarks like Kantaji Temple, Paharpur Monastery, Ahsan Manzil, and the National Martyrs’ Memorial.
Feature | Old Banknotes (1971–2024) | New Banknotes (2025–onward) |
Portrait | Sheikh Mujibur Rahman | None |
Cultural/Landmark Images | Limited, leader-focused | Hindu/Buddhist temples, landmarks |
Security Features | Standard | Enhanced (color-shifting, microprint) |
Political Context | Awami League dominance | Interim government, depoliticization |
Circulation | All denominations | Phased (Tk 20, 50, 1,000 first) |
These changes are not isolated—they come in the aftermath of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in 2024 and the establishment of an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.
The Evolution of Currency Design in Bangladesh
Bangladeshi currency has mirrored the nation’s shifting political narratives:
- 1970s-1990s: The banknotes emphasized independence symbolism and were used to establish national cohesion post-liberation.
- 2000s–2024: Under the Awami League, notes prominently featured Sheikh Mujib, emphasizing his contributions as a unifying symbol.
- 2025-onward: A post-leader-centric design approach emerged. The focus is now on religious harmony, natural beauty, and inclusive heritage.
Key Features of the 2025 Notes:
- Tk 20: Kantaji Temple (Hindu) and Paharpur Monastery (Buddhist)
- Tk 50: Ahsan Manzil and Zainul Abedin’s Bengal famine sketch
- Tk 1,000: Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban and National Martyrs’ Memorial
- Security Enhancements: Microprinting, color-shifting threads, optically variable ink.
The Bangladesh Bank calls this redesign an effort to “depoliticize national symbols” and reflect the pluralism of Bangladeshi heritage.
Sheikh Mujib Removed: Symbolism, Politics & Public Response
Bangladesh is erasing Sheikh Mujibur Rehman's Heroic Legacy | New banknotes without image of founder Mujibur Rahman will be in circulation from today. Supreme Court has lifted ban on radical organisation Jamiat I Islami #SheikhHasina being charged with crimes against humanity pic.twitter.com/LGpY6LiAc7
— Pradeep Dutta (@deepduttajourno) June 2, 2025
The removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait from Bangladesh’s new currency notes has ignited a wave of intense political and public discourse. Supporters of the move see it as a symbolic step toward national neutrality and inclusivity. They argue that it ends a decades-long personality cult that tied state symbolism too closely to one political figure. By shifting focus to cultural landmarks, historical architecture, and natural heritage, the new notes represent a broader and more diverse national identity—one that goes beyond partisan history to embrace Bangladesh’s rich tapestry of traditions, religions, and landscapes.
However, critics see the change as a deliberate attempt to erase the central figure of Bangladesh’s Liberation War and undermine the legacy of the Awami League, which led the country through its formative years post-1971. The absence of Sheikh Mujib’s image, they argue, is not merely symbolic but political—a retaliatory move following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government. For many, the founding father’s portrait was not just about party politics; it represented the struggle, sacrifice, and sovereignty of a nation born out of blood and vision. This shift, they fear, risks diluting that powerful historical narrative.
More Than Just Money—A Mirror to a Nation’s Identity
The redesigned banknotes, featuring Hindu and Buddhist temples alongside iconic landmarks, signal a conscious effort to broaden the definition of Bangladeshi identity beyond political figures and dominant narratives. For many, this shift represents long-overdue recognition of the country’s diverse cultural and religious heritage, especially at a time when minority rights have been under international scrutiny. By highlighting structures like Kantaji Temple and Paharpur Monastery, the new notes serve not just as currency but as statements of inclusivity. However, questions remain about how this symbolic gesture will translate into tangible policy changes for minority communities—and whether future governments will uphold this broader, more pluralistic vision of national identity.
Bangladesh’s currency redesign is not just about aesthetics or security—it is a bold political and cultural statement. The removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s image for the first time in over 50 years signals a paradigm shift in how the country narrates its past and visualizes its future.
