BY : Alia Kashmiri
Kolkata: The transfer of IPS officer Dr Bushra Bano in West Bengal has triggered a political controversy after she faced criticism on social media over a video in which she used Islamic greetings and phrases including “Assalamualaikum”, “InshaAllah” and “JazakAllah”.
Bano, who had previously worked in Saudi Arabia, is an IPS officer who has cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination twice. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The controversy began after a video featuring Bano circulated on social media. In the video, she opened her remarks with “Assalamualaikum”, used “InshaAllah” while speaking and concluded with “JazakAllah”.
Following the video’s circulation, social media accounts associated with Hindutva groups criticised the officer, with some questioning why she had not used expressions such as “Vande Mataram” or “Jai Hind”.
Sudarshan News also criticised Bano and framed the controversy using the term “UPSC Jihad”.
A website identified as Hindu Legal Fund reportedly lodged a complaint against Bano with the Home Secretary of West Bengal. She was transferred the following day, according to reports, triggering questions from opposition leaders and others who criticised the timing of the action.
Mahua Moitra questions transfer
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra criticised the development and contrasted it with what she described as the government’s secular credentials during the BRICS summit.
“One BJP govt showing off secular credentials at BRICS summit by creating ‘prayer room’, another sidelines Muslim woman IPS officer Dr Bushara Bano simply for saying ‘Assalamalaikum’ & ‘JazakAllah’ — furthering hate spread by Godimedia TV,” Moitra said in a post on social media.
“We are with you Bushara,” she added.
Moitra had, two weeks earlier, alleged that Muslim officers in West Bengal were being excluded from official events attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. She had questioned the IPS and IAS associations over what she described as “communal nonsense”.
Congress MP seeks IPS Association’s response
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi also raised the issue and urged the IPS Association to take note of the controversy.
He alleged that a “hate-mongering TV channel” had first sensationalised the video, leading to online trolling against the officer.
“And instead of standing by her, the state government transferred her the very next day,” Pratapgarhi said, questioning, “What kind of India are you building, @narendramodi ji?”
He also tagged the IPS Association and asked, “Are you watching this?”
Comparisons drawn with Anuj Chaudhary case
The controversy has also prompted comparisons with the case of Uttar Pradesh police officer Anuj Chaudhary.
Chaudhary, who was then serving as Circle Officer in Sambhal, had participated in a religious Rath Yatra while in uniform and was seen carrying a mace. He was subsequently promoted as Additional Superintendent of Police in Firozabad.
Journalist Kavish Aziz drew a comparison between the two cases, saying, “Bushra Bano was transferred for offering a greeting, while Anuj Chaudhary was promoted for joining a religious pilgrimage in uniform.”
Former bureaucrat defends Bano
Former bureaucrat Ashish Joshi also came out in support of Bano, stressing the importance of India’s religious and cultural diversity.
“India’s true strength is its unity in diversity,” Joshi said.
Referring to Bano’s professional background, he highlighted that she had cleared the UPSC examination twice and left a comfortable job in Saudi Arabia to serve the country.
“Her choice of words reflects her personal faith, not a rejection of the country she protects,” Joshi said.
“In a land as vast and varied as India, this coexistence is not a weakness, it is our pride,” he added.
Concluding his message, Joshi said, “Shukriya for your service, Bushra! Jazakallah khair!”
The controversy has since grown beyond the officer’s social-media video, with political leaders and public commentators debating whether the use of religious greetings by a serving civil servant should have any bearing on her professional duties or posting.
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