IPS officer shunted out days after right-wing groups object to her YouTube post

The BJP government in West Bengal has reassigned IPS officer Dr. Bushara Bano and two other police officers, citing "public interest". This follows complaints from right-wing groups regarding a YouTube video Bano posted. In the video, Bano shared her personal journey into the civil services and praised the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for aiding her UPSC exam preparation.

The Hindu Legal Fund, a right-wing outfit, lodged a complaint with the West Bengal Home Secretary, alleging Bano's failure to maintain neutrality and use national expressions in public communication. Bano's video began with "Assalamu Alaikum!", "Inshallah", and concluded with "Jazak Allah". The Hindu Legal Fund posted on X, demanding action against Bano for not using "national expressions" in her public communication.

When asked for comment, Bano declined to speak. The TMC MP from Krishnanagar, Mahua Moitra, condemned the BJP government's decision, calling it "ridiculous" and accusing the nation of being "poisoned with hate and bigotry". Bano was initially stationed as Additional SP in Kharagpur's Paschim Medinipur district, but has been transferred to the SAP 4th Battalion.

She is being replaced there by WBPS officer Subhendu Mandal. Partha Ghosh, formerly an Additional Deputy Commissioner in Chandannagar Police Commissionerate, will now take Bano's position in Kharagpur.