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

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IPS officer Bushara Bano. Photo: Facebook/busharabano

The Bharatiya Janata party government in West Bengal has transferred IPS officer Bushara Bano, after right-wing groups raised objections against a video in which she is heard using using common Arabic salutations and greetings. Ms. Bano, who was posted as Additional SP of Kharagpur in Paschim Medinipur district, has been transferred to the post of Deputy Commandant, SAP 4th Battalion.

 The notification by the West Bengal government dated September 14, also refers to the transfer of two other West Bengal Police Service (WBPS) officers.

In the video, in which Ms. Bano reflects on her personal journey, she is heard 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, went on to file a complaint with the West Bengal Home Secretary regarding this video .

“She 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.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​,” the outfit had posted on social media.

Trinamool Congress leader and Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra made a couple of posts on social media saying that “transferring a Muslim IPS officer for saying Assalamalaikum & Inshallah is ridiculous”.

“For a country whose Prime Minister inaugurated a new Parliament with sengol & bare chested sadhus, transferring a Muslim IPS officer for saying Assalamalaikum & Inshallah is ridiculous. We are a nation gone mad, poisoned with hate & bigotry. God Save India,” Ms. Moitra posted on X.

Imran Pratapgarhi, Rajya Sabha MP and Congress leader also highlighted the issue saying that phrases “Insha’Allah” and “JazakAllah” carry a very ordinary meaning. “A hate-mongering TV channel first sensationalized 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,” Mr. Pratapgarhi posted on ‘X’.

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