The protesters gathered in front of Bangladesh Bank office in Rangpur city on Monday afternoon and symbolically buried one baker by pouring bags of Tk1, Tk2 and Tk5 coins on him.
Earlier, they gathered in Rangpur Public Library grounds under the banner of Bangladesh Bread Biscuit and Confectionery Manufacturers’ Association and marched on the major streets around the city before heading towards the central bank office.
Gathering in front of the bank, one of the protesters lay down in front of its gate while other protesters poured the coins on him.
“Bangladesh Bank says that the commercial banks will take ours coins, but the banks refuse to take them,” said one of the protesters.
“Our businesses are suffering because of this; we are going bankrupt,” said another.
Earlier, Riaz Shahid Shovon, president of the association, Faizul Kabir Liton, general secretary, and other leaders spoke at a protest rally at Rangpur Public Library grounds.
They complained that thousands of people pay with coins every day when they buy products from bakers and confectioners.
They said bakers earn as little as Tk30 to as much as Tk1lakh in coins every day, but when they go to the commercial banks to deposit the coins, the banks refuse to accept them.
It has become problematic to such an extent that many entrepreneurs are now threatened with bankruptcy as they are unable to convert their change into bigger notes, they said.
The protesters alleged the local office of Bangladesh Bank had also refused to cooperate with the businessmen. After being turned down time and time again, the businessmen opted for a massive protest calling upon every baker and confectioner in Rangpur division.
The protesters have issued a 48-hour deadline to the banks to start accepting the deposits in coins, otherwise they threatened to launch stronger movement.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
