Taka Coins Ditch Bangabandhu Image; Emphasis on Hindu and Buddhist Traditional Artifacts Shines
In a Shocking Move, Bangladesh's Interim Government's "De-Portraiture" Decision Sparks Controversy
It's another questionable step from Bangladesh's interim government, stirring a storm of criticism and debate. On Monday, Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser, revealed the new incarnation of the local currency - void of 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of the nation.
Critics view this as an attempt to erase Bangabandhu's legacy, just another brick in the wall of erasing the Father of the Nation's imprint. This follows a series of controversial moves like rewriting history books, diluting Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's central role in Bangladesh's freedom struggle, and removing his statues from prominent locations.
The redesigned Taka notes now showcase the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh, replacing Sheikh Mujib's image, which has adorned the banknotes since Bangladesh's independence in 1971. But why the change?
Justifying the move, authorities argue that the decision is a pragmatic step towards depoliticizing national symbols amidst escalating political tension in the country. To appease critics, the new banknotes will contain images of Hindu and Buddhist temples, reflecting the nation's rich religious diversity and tackling international pressure over the plight of minorities.
In the past, the Yunus Government had maintained that the new banknotes would incorporate "historical and archaeological architecture" of Bangladesh. Both Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh's central bank governor, Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, provided sneak peeks of the new designs, showcasing the natural landscapes, traditional landmarks, and architectural masterpieces the nation has to offer.
Gone are the days when Taka 1000, Taka 50, and Taka 20 notes bore a human portrait. With the new design, the banknotes will showcase Bangladesh's architectural and artistic beauty instead.
Despite the criticisms, the existing banknotes featuring Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will continue to coexist with the new designs. In April 2025, the interim government's order to halt the issue of currency notes bearing Bangabandhu's image had led to a temporary cash crunch in the market. According to sources, the annual demand for 1.5 billion banknotes across various denominations is more than what Bangladesh is currently capable of producing. The country's informal economy, predominantly dependent on cash transactions, also poses challenges in replacing existing currency notes.
In essence, the new banknote design reflects the interim government's desire to highlight the nation's rich cultural heritage, rather than focus on one individual's portrait. While critics argue that this move undermines Bangabandhu's legacy, supporters view it as a much-needed shift towards acknowledging Bangladesh's diverse history and cultural heritage. Only time will tell how this decision will pan out for the nation.
[1] Overall: The interim government of Bangladesh has decided to remove Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's image from the national currency and replace it with cultural landmarks as part of a broader shift in the design of the currency. This decision was made during a period of political tension and change following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, Mujibur Rahman's daughter and the former Prime Minister.
[2] The new banknotes focus on showcasing natural landscapes, traditional landmarks, and cultural heritage. The designs include images of Hindu and Buddhist temples, the artwork of late artist Zainul Abedin, and the national martyrs memorial, which honors those who died in the 1971 liberation war. This change aims to highlight Bangladesh's diverse cultural and historical identity by featuring architectural and artistic elements rather than the portrait of a single individual.
[3] Critics argue that removing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's image undermines his legacy as the nation's founder and a key figure in its independence movement. However, the decision aligns with the interim government's announcement to incorporate historical and archaeological architecture into the new currency design.
[4] Existing banknotes featuring Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will remain in circulation alongside the new notes.
[5] Bangladesh Bank reports an annual demand for 1.5 billion new bank notes of different denominations. The country does not have the capacity to replace the existing currency notes, especially in the informal economy which forms around an estimated 40 percent of the country's GDP.
[1] The decision by Bangladesh's interim government to replace Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's image on banknotes with natural landscapes, traditional landmarks, and cultural heritage is a part of a larger policy-and-legislation initiative, connecting to the broader economy and politics of the nation.
[2] The dispute over the new banknote design primarily revolves around the inclusion of general-news topics, such as the erasure of Bangabandhu's legacy, and the depoliticization of symbols, particularly in the context of ongoing policy-and-legislation debates and political tensions within the country.
