West Bengal Govt transfers IPS officer after right-wing groups object to her saying ‘Assalamu Alaikum,’ ‘Inshallah’ and ‘Jazakallah’

The Bharatiya Janata Party government in West Bengal has transferred IPS officer Bushara Bano following objections from right-wing groups over a video in which she used Arabic salutations and greetings. Ms. Bano, who was posted as Additional Superintendent of Police in Kharagpur, has been reassigned to the position of Deputy Commandant in the SAP 4th Battalion. The transfer notice, issued on September 14, also mentions the transfer of two additional West Bengal Police Service officers.

In the video, Ms. Bano reflects on her career, stating, "Assalamu Alaikum! I am a 2021-qualified IPS officer and currently deployed as Additional Superintendent of Police in Kharagpur. After returning from Saudi Arabia, I started preparing for the UPSC examination. I was initially doing self-study, then AMU's RCA helped me a lot. Their book library is also very good. I am sharing this with you all so that other people benefit from it."

The Hindu Legal Fund, a right-wing organization, filed a complaint with the West Bengal Home Secretary regarding the video. They argued that as a serving officer representing the Indian State, Ms. Bano should use national expressions in public communication and maintain neutrality. The Hindu Legal Fund called for an appropriate review and action.

Reacting to the transfer, Trinamool Congress leader and Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra posted on social media, stating that transferring a Muslim IPS officer for saying "Assalamalikum" and "Inshallah" is ridiculous. She highlighted the absurdity of such a move in a country where the Prime Minister inaugurated a new Parliament with the sengol and bare-chested sadhus.

Similarly, Congress leader Imran Pratapgarhi pointed out that phrases like "Insha'Allah" and "JazakAllah" carry a very ordinary meaning. He criticized the sensationalized video and the subsequent online trolling against the female IPS officer, noting that the state government acted against her instead of supporting her.