Sun Jun 01 16:34:07 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Bangladesh has issued new banknotes that replace images of its founding President, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, with natural landscapes and historical landmarks. This change comes after the ousting of his daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and the opening of her trial for allegedly suppressing the uprising against her government in 2024. The new notes feature diverse imagery including Hindu and Buddhist temples, historical palaces, artwork depicting the Bengal famine, and the national martyrs’ memorial. This isn’t the first time banknote designs have changed to reflect political shifts in Bangladesh. The existing notes will remain in circulation alongside the new ones.
**News Article:**
**Bangladesh Issues New Banknotes, Removes Founding President’s Image Amid Political Upheaval**
**Dhaka -** In a move reflecting the ongoing political turmoil, Bangladesh has introduced new banknotes featuring natural landscapes and historical landmarks, replacing the portraits of the nation’s founding President, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The change comes as the nation navigates the aftermath of the ousting of his daughter, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and the commencement of her trial on charges of attempting to crush the August 2024 uprising.
The new banknotes, released on Sunday, showcase a variety of imagery, including Hindu and Buddhist temples, historical palaces, artwork depicting the Bengal famine during British colonial rule, and the national martyrs’ memorial for those who died in the independence war against Pakistan. Arif Hossain Khan, a spokesman for Bangladesh Bank, stated that the goal was to move away from human portraits and highlight the country’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The decision marks a significant shift in banknote design, which has historically reflected the prevailing political climate. Previous notes featured maps of Bangladesh following its independence in 1971, and later, portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during his daughter’s 15-year rule. During periods when the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was in power, historic and archaeological sites were prominently displayed.
The Awami League, the party previously led by both Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina, was recently banned pending the trial of Ms. Hasina and other party leaders. Ms. Hasina, currently in self-imposed exile in India, has defied an extradition order to attend the trial.
The newly released banknotes are for three of the nine different denominations, with the remaining denominations being phased in gradually. Existing notes will continue to circulate alongside the new ones. The changes underscore the ongoing political instability and the shifting power dynamics within the South Asian nation.
First Piper 