Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ In a striking shift from past traditions, Bangladesh has unveiled a new series of currency notes that remove the image of its founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, and instead highlight religious and historical landmarks from across the country. The move, initiated by the Bangladesh Bank under the interim administration of Nobel Laureate and Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus, marks a symbolic departure from the legacy of Sheikh Mujib, father of exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The redesigned notes, denominations of Tk 20, Tk 50, and Tk 1,000, feature religious monuments, ancient architectural sites, and cultural motifs. Among them, the newly issued Tk 20 note prominently displays the 18th-century Kantajew Temple in Dinajpur, a Hindu place of worship known for its intricate terracotta designs. The temple, which survived a 2015 bomb attack during the Rash Mela festival, now takes center stage in the latest round of monetary redesigns.
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According to the Bangladesh Bank’s website, the front side of the Tk 20 note shows the Kantajew Temple’s architectural silhouette alongside the national flower, the water lily. On the reverse, the note features the Paharpur Buddhist Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 8th century, renowned for its significance across South Asia as one of the largest and most important Buddhist Viharas of its time. This shift in currency design comes amid broader political changes in the country. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s administration in mid-2024, the interim government has been steering Bangladesh away from the long-dominant Awami League narrative, often centered on the figure of Mujibur Rehman. Critics argue that the changes to national symbols, such as currency and textbooks, reflect an effort to revise the country’s historical memory.
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The new currency notes also highlight Islamic sites, including the Shait-Gumbuz Masjid on the Tk 100 note, the Tara Masjid on the Tk 50 note, and the Baitul Mukarram Mosque on the Tk 10 note, representing Bangladesh’s Islamic heritage alongside Hindu and Buddhist symbols. The Tk 1,000 note, printed in purple, features the National Martyrs’ Memorial and the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (National Parliament House), designed by architect Louis Kahn. All new notes include security features such as the Royal Bengal Tiger watermark and a revised bank monogram to enhance protection against counterfeiting.
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Despite the visual and symbolic shift, the Bangladesh Bank has confirmed that existing notes featuring the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, along with current coins, will remain legal tender. However, the Bank broke long-standing tradition last Eid by not releasing any new notes featuring Mujib. The decision to feature the Kantajew Temple has not been without controversy. The temple complex was at the center of community tensions in 2024 when reports emerged about the construction of a mosque within its premises, an act that sparked protests by the local Hindu community. The inclusion of the temple in the new currency has raised eyebrows given these recent events, and some observers view it as a political gesture aimed at emphasizing religious inclusivity while downplaying one-party dominance.
The currency overhaul is not the only area where Mujibur Rehman’s presence is being reduced. The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) has revised 441 textbooks for the 2025 academic year. Notably, many textbooks have removed references to Mujib’s role in the nation’s independence, instead attributing the declaration of freedom to General Ziaur Rahman. Over 400 million updated textbooks have already been distributed across the country’s schools. While the central bank has emphasized that the redesign is aimed at celebrating Bangladesh’s diverse heritage and improving anti-counterfeit measures, the political undertones are hard to ignore. With the interim government still under scrutiny for remaining passive during reported attacks on religious minorities after Hasina’s ouster, the symbolism of these changes continues to stir debate both domestically and abroad.
