Yunus Government’s Revisionist Drive: Erasing Mujib’s Name & Legacy

The context of the interim government

In the wake of mass protests that forced out the long‑serving government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed the role of head of the interim administration in Bangladesh. Early in his tenure, Yunus announced a sweeping agenda of reforms targeting what he described as institutional decay under the previous regime.

What’s being done: holidays cancelled, portraits removed

One of the most controversial initiatives undertaken by Yunus’s government has been the cancellation of several national holidays and removal of portraits associated with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — widely regarded as the “Father of the Nation” in Bangladesh’s previous narratives.

Holiday cancellations

Among the days removed from the official calendar are:

·         7 March (the speech by Mujib that galvanised the independence movement)

·         17 March (his birth anniversary)

·         15 August (National Mourning Day for his assassination)

·         4 November (Constitution Day)

Visual and symbolic removal

Beyond calendar changes, portraits of Mujib have been taken down from official buildings — for instance, the removal of his photo from the Darbar Hall of the Bangabhaban (President’s office) — and new currency notes have been redesigned to omit his image.

Reaction and uproar

From Sheikh Hasina & the Awami League

Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and leader of the Awami League, has strongly condemned these moves. In a virtual address from exile she accused Yunus’s administration of showing “audacity” in attempting to erase her party’s legacy and her father’s historic role.

She criticised the interim government’s “reset” ambition, warning that it cannot simply discard the history of liberation and the founding figures of the nation.

From the public and opposition

Political observers and members of the Awami League view these actions as an ideological assault—an attempt to rewrite national memory and shift the narrative away from the 1971 Liberation War and Mujib’s role in it.

Some citizens, including students, have protested the removal of statues, portraits and symbols tied to Mujib. The mobilisation of these symbolic protests underscores the depth of anger within a portion of the population.

Why is this happening?

Resetting the historical narrative

Yunus’s administration argues that the previous regime elevated a single figure and sidelined many contributions to Bangladesh’s history. By cancelling the holidays and removing symbols of one particular narrative, they claim to open up a broader, more inclusive historical discourse.

Political and institutional reform motives

Beyond symbolism, the interim government says that foundational institutions — the judiciary, election commission, civil administration — were weakened under the 15‑plus years of one‑party dominance. By distancing themselves from the earlier regime’s symbolic legacy, they present themselves as catalysts for reform.

Implications & future outlook

Domestic political instability

These sweeping symbolic changes have fuelled intense political polarisation. For many supporters of the Awami League and others who revere Mujib’s legacy, the actions are seen as illegitimate and provocative. The country faces a deepening crisis of legitimacy if large portions of society feel their national history is being tampered with.

Foreign relations and regional balance

Bangladesh’s foreign policy could also shift. Some analysts note that as the narrative of the Liberation War and Mujib recedes in official messaging, relations with neighbouring Pakistan and India might see new dynamics — particularly since the 1971 war involved Pakistani forces and India’s role.

Institutional reforms vs symbolic legacies

A key question remains: will the interim government deliver on its promised reforms, or will the symbolic overhaul overshadow meaningful change? The practical governance challenges — economic pressures, inflation, minority rights, institutional rebuilding — are immense. Without progress here, the symbolic actions risk being perceived as superficial.