Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Urdu Dailies Question Bushara Bano Transfer and BJP Fortunes
Urdu newspapers discussed several important political and public issues.
One major story involved IPS officer Bushara Bano’s transfer in West Bengal.
Some groups had objected after she used common Arabic Muslim greetings in a video.
Inquilab asked the government to explain whether the transfer was connected to those greetings.
Siasat also wrote about Rahul Gandhi’s student programme in Indore.
The newspaper said the event gives young people a chance to ask questions about their problems.
The papers also discussed a proposed fee on some UPI payments and controversy over the Election Commission’s voter-list revision exercise.
In Rajasthan, the BJP won more local-government seats than Congress, but the results also showed strong performances by Congress and Independent candidates.
Inquilab questioned the West Bengal government’s abrupt transfer of IPS officer Bushara Bano after objections to her use of Arabic Muslim greetings.
The editorial said the transfer raised concerns about religious freedom, constitutionalism and administrative neutrality, while the government was urged to explain its reasons.
Siasat praised Rahul Gandhi’s interactive student outreach programme in Indore and said it was gaining traction among young people.
Urdu newspapers also reported opposition to the proposed 0.4% fee on UPI merchant transactions above Rs 2,000 and focused on controversy surrounding the Election Commission’s SIR exercise.
Siasat described Rajasthan’s civic election results as a mixed outcome, with the BJP winning more wards but Congress, Independents and local rivals making significant gains.
- Who
- The Urdu dailies Siasat and Inquilab; IPS officer Bushara Bano; Rahul Gandhi; the BJP, Congress and Independent candidates in Rajasthan.
- What
- The coverage addressed Bushara Bano’s transfer, Rahul Gandhi’s student outreach, a proposed UPI fee, the SIR exercise and Rajasthan civic election results.
- When
- The editorials cited were published on September 16 and September 21.
- Where
- The issues concerned West Bengal, Indore, Rajasthan and wider national politics; the editorials appeared in Hyderabad-based Siasat and Inquilab’s New Delhi edition.
- Why
- The newspapers were assessing alleged political targeting, questions about administrative neutrality, youth concerns, payment-fee opposition, election-roll controversy and the implications of Rajasthan’s civic results.
Editorial Criticism
Government and Ruling-Party Position
Bushara Bano’s transfer
Editorial Criticism
Inquilab argued that the timing of the transfer, after objections to Bano’s use of Muslim greetings, raised concerns about religious freedom, constitutionalism and administrative neutrality.
Government and Ruling-Party Position
The government’s stated explanation for the transfer was not provided in the article; the editorial called on it to clarify why Bano was moved.
Rahul Gandhi’s student outreach
Editorial Criticism
Siasat said Chhatron Ki Goonj gives students a platform to raise concerns and that attempts to undermine the programme reflect reluctance to engage with questioning youth.
Government and Ruling-Party Position
Siasat said the BJP-led government and its supporters viewed the programme negatively, but the article did not provide a direct government response.
Rajasthan civic election meaning
Editorial Criticism
Siasat viewed the BJP’s relatively narrow vote advantage and gains by Congress and Independents as a warning ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
Government and Ruling-Party Position
The BJP presented its win of more than 4,100 wards as a major triumph, while the editorial said this emphasis overlooked Congress victories and Independent strength in several areas.
- Officer at center of transfer row
- 2021-batch IPS officer Dr Bushara Bano
- New posting mentioned
- Deputy Commandant, SAP 4th Battalion
- Arabic phrases cited
- Assalamu Alaikum, Inshallah and Jazakallah
- Student event
- Rahul Gandhi’s fifth Chhatron Ki Goonj programme in Indore
- UPI fee proposal
- A proposed 0.4% fee on person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000
- Rajasthan civic results
- The BJP won over 4,100 wards, Congress more than 3,600, and Independents more than 2,000
- Reported vote gap
- Siasat said the BJP led Congress by about 0.91 percentage points in votes