Overview

• The first phase released on June 1 includes the 20, 50 and 1,000 taka notes, each replacing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait with images of Hindu and Buddhist temples, the National Martyrs’ Memorial and artwork by Zainul Abedin.
• Bangladesh Bank spokesman Arif Hossain Khan said that all human portraits have been removed in favor of natural landscapes and cultural landmarks to depoliticize the national currency.
• Existing banknotes and coins featuring the founding leader will remain legal tender while the remaining six denominations are unveiled in the coming weeks.
• Critics say the redesign is part of a broader effort by Muhammad Yunus’s caretaker government to diminish Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s legacy and redefine Bangladesh’s historical narrative.
• The rollout coincides with the trial of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on charges including mass murder over her handling of the August 2024 protests.