India
West Bengal Police Transfers IPS Officer After Video Containing Arabic Greetings Sparks Protest
The West Bengal government has transferred IPS officer Bushara Bano after right‑wing groups objected to a video in which she used Arabic salutations. Ms. Bano, who had been posted as Additional Superintendent of Police in Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur district, was moved to the post of Deputy Commandant, SAP 4th Battalion. The government’s notification dated September 14 also mentioned the transfer of two other West Bengal Police Service officers.
In the video, Ms. Bano speaks about her personal journey, saying, “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 outfit, filed a complaint with the West Bengal Home Secretary, stating that the officer “began with Assalamualaikum, used Inshallah, ended with Jazakallah — and did not use Vande Mataram or Jai Hind. A serving officer representing the Indian State should maintain neutrality and use national expressions in public communication. Seeking appropriate review and action.”
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra posted on X that “transferring a Muslim IPS officer for saying Assalamalaikum & Inshallah is ridiculous.” She added that the country’s Prime Minister had inaugurated a new Parliament with “sengol & bare chested sadhus,” and that the transfer showed a nation “poisoned with hate & bigotry.”
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi also highlighted the issue, noting that the phrases “Insha’Allah” and “JazakAllah” carry ordinary meanings. He said a “hate‑mongering TV channel first sensationalised that video by posting it and incited online trolling against the female IPS officer, and instead of standing by her, the state government transferred her the very next day.”