Bangladesh removes Mujib from banknotes, bans Hasina’s speeches

Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday ordered a ban on disseminating deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's "hate speeches" in the mainstream media and social media networks as the tribunal is set to try her on numerous charges of crimes against humanity.

The order follows Hasina's recent speech, her first public address after fleeing to India on August 5, in which she mounted a stinging attack on the country's interim leader Muhammad Yunus, accusing him of perpetrating "genocide" and failing to protect minorities including Hindus. "The ICT has banned broadcasting, publishing and spreading any hate speech by ousted PM in all types of mass and social media," an said.

The country has also begun the process of erasing the image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman -- her father and the iconic figure behind the founding of the country -- from its currency notes. Bangladesh Bank is printing new notes, including in them features of the July uprising, the Dhaka Tribune reported Thursday, referring to the student-led protests that forced Hasina to flee. Banknotes of Taka 20, 100, 500, and 1,000 are being printed on the instructions of the interim government.

Religious structures, Bengali traditions and "graffiti" drawn during the July uprising will be included, it said. "I hope the new note could be released in the market within the next six months," it quoted Bangladesh Bank executive director Husneara Shikha as saying.

Initially, the design of four notes is being changed and the others will be redesigned in phases, it read.