‘Assalamualaikum’ row: Why West Bengal IPS officer Bushra Bano’s sudden transfer has triggered a political storm

Bano, originally from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh, was transferred from her post as Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Kharagpur, to Deputy Commandant of the 4th Battalion of the State Armed Police through an order dated September 14.

She was transferred just around two-and-a-half months after taking charge as ASP, Kharagpur.

Hindu group objects to video

The controversy began after Bano appeared in an inspirational video in which she addressed civil service aspirants and used Islamic phrases including “Assalam Alaikum”, “Inshallah” and “Jazakallah”.

The Hindu Legal Fund subsequently filed a complaint with the West Bengal Home Secretary, arguing that a serving police officer should maintain neutrality in public communication.

The group wrote on X: “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.”

Government calls transfer routine

The BJP-led West Bengal government, however, has maintained that Bano’s transfer was a routine administrative decision taken in the public interest.

The government has not publicly stated that the transfer was linked to the controversy surrounding her video.

Opposition questions transfer

The transfer has drawn criticism from the Opposition, with Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra questioning the move and alleging double standards.

Moitra referred to the inauguration of the new Parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and compared it with the controversy surrounding Bano’s use of Islamic greetings.

“For a country whose Prime Minister inaugurated 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,” Moitra posted on X.

Who is Bushra Bano?

Dr Bushra Bano is a 2021-batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre and is originally from Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh.

Before joining the civil services, Bano pursued an academic career and worked as an assistant professor in Saudi Arabia.

She studied at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), where she completed a PhD in Management Studies. She also qualified for UGC NET-JRF.

Bano’s UPSC journey

Bano cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination twice.

According to reports, she secured All India Rank 277 in 2018, when she was selected for the Indian Railway Traffic Service but did not join.

She subsequently appeared for the examination again and secured AIR 234, eventually entering the Indian Police Service.

Bano has previously spoken about returning from Saudi Arabia and preparing for the civil services examination with the help of AMU’s Residential Coaching Academy.

The controversy over her transfer has now sparked a wider debate over public communication by serving officials and the distinction between personal religious expressions and official conduct.