Archive · 16 Sep 2026
West Bengal Transfers IPS Officer After Islamic Greeting Complaint
Bushara Bano is a Muslim police officer in West Bengal.
She made an online video about how Aligarh Muslim University helped her prepare for a national civil service exam.
She began and ended the video with Islamic greetings and phrases.
Some right-wing groups criticised her because she did not also say “Vande Mataram” or “Jai Hind.”
The Hindu Legal Fund said it complained to West Bengal authorities.
Soon afterward, Bano was moved from her police job in Kharagpur to another police position.
The government reportedly said the move was part of routine transfers.
Critics believed the transfer was connected to the complaints and was meant to sideline her.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra publicly criticised the decision.
Bushara Bano, a 2021-batch IPS officer, was transferred from additional superintendent of police in Kharagpur to deputy commandant of the State Armed Police’s 4th battalion.
The transfer followed criticism of an online video in which Bano used “assalamualaikum,” “inshallah,” and “jazakallah” while discussing her UPSC preparation.
The Hindu Legal Fund and other right-wing social media accounts objected that she did not use “Vande Mataram” or “Jai Hind.”
The Hindu Legal Fund said it filed a complaint with West Bengal authorities, although reports differ on whether it went to the home secretary or another government department.
Officials reportedly described the move as a routine transfer, while Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and other critics viewed it as a punitive posting.
- Who
- Bushara Bano, the Hindu Legal Fund and other right-wing social media accounts, West Bengal government officials, and Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra.
- What
- Bano was transferred within the West Bengal police after groups criticised Islamic language in her online video.
- When
- The video was posted on Sunday and the transfer order was issued on Monday; reports describe the complaint as being filed shortly beforehand.
- Where
- Bano moved from additional superintendent of police in Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, to deputy commandant of the State Armed Police’s 4th battalion.
- Why
- The Hindu Legal Fund said public officers should maintain neutrality and use national expressions; officials reportedly called the move routine, while critics alleged it was punitive.
Critics of the Transfer
Supporters of Official Neutrality
Whether the transfer was punitive
Critics of the Transfer
Mahua Moitra and other critics said Bano was sidelined because of her Islamic greetings and accused the government of advancing a hate-driven media agenda.
Supporters of Official Neutrality
West Bengal officials reportedly described the move as routine, and two other officers were transferred under the same order.
Language used by public officers
Critics of the Transfer
Critics viewed Bano’s greetings as personal or religious expressions that should not lead to official action.
Supporters of Official Neutrality
The Hindu Legal Fund argued that a serving officer representing the Indian state should maintain neutrality and use national expressions such as “Vande Mataram” or “Jai Hind.”
Meaning of the new posting
Critics of the Transfer
Political circles reportedly viewed the move to the State Armed Police as a “shunt” or punitive posting.
Supporters of Official Neutrality
Reports said the deputy commandant position had nearly the same status and pay scale as Bano’s previous post.
- Officer
- Bushara Bano, also reported as Bushra Bano; a 2021-batch Indian Police Service officer
- Previous posting
- Additional superintendent of police, Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur
- New posting
- Deputy commandant of the State Armed Police’s 4th battalion
- Video subject
- Aligarh Muslim University’s Residential Coaching Academy and Bano’s preparation for the Union Public Service Commission examination
- Expressions criticised
- “Assalamualaikum,” “inshallah,” and “jazakallah”
- Complaint
- The Hindu Legal Fund said it complained to West Bengal authorities and sought action
- Official explanation
- Government officials reportedly described the transfer as part of routine transfers
- Political response
- Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra criticised the move as sidelining a Muslim woman IPS officer
Sources
West Bengal IPS officer Bushra Bano transferred after objections to ‘Assalamualaikum’, ‘Inshallah’
‘She used Inshallah’: Bengal IPS officer transferred after right-wing flags video
Muslim IPS Officer Shunted In WB After Right Wing Group's Complaint
