A Muslim woman officer of the Indian Police Service in West Bengal was transferred from her post following criticism from right-wing groups over her use of traditional Islamic greetings in a video, official records show. Bushra Bano, a 2021-batch officer serving as Additional Superintendent of Police in Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, was reassigned as Deputy Commanding Officer of the State Armed Police`s 4th Battalion.
The formal notification was issued on Monday (September 14).
Two other police officials were also reassigned under the same administrative order. The dispute erupted after a video circulated on social media platforms showing Bano discussing how the Residential Coaching Academy at Aligarh Muslim University assisted her preparation for the Union Public Service Commission examinations.
During the recording, she used terms including "Assalamu Alaikum," "Inshallah," and "Jazakallah." Accounts including The Jaipur Dialogues and Hindu Legal Fund raised objections, arguing that she did not use expressions such as "Vande Mataram" or "Jai Hind." Hindu Legal Fund subsequently submitted a representation to West Bengal`s Home Secretary demanding administrative intervention, claiming public officials must maintain strict neutrality in public communication.
The administrative decision has triggered political debate. Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra publicly questioned the move, arguing that sidelining an officer merely for using standard religious greetings contradicts inclusive governance claims made on international platforms.
