IPS officer transferred for using Islamic greetings ‘Assalam Alaikum’, ‘Insha Allah’

KOLKATA: A Muslim IPS officer has been transferred following a complaint by a Hindu organisation. Bushra Bano, a 2021-batch IPS officer who was serving as additional superintendent of police in Kharagpur, West Bengal, has been transferred. The Hindu organisation had complained against her for using Islamic greetings and phrases while speaking at a programme organised for students getting ready for competitive exams.

Bushra has now been given charge as deputy commandant of the 4th Battalion of the State Armed Police Force. Partha Ghosh has been appointed as the new Additional Superintendent of Police in Kharagpur. The Suvendu Adhikari government describes it routine and in public interest.

Bushra shared a video on social media showing her interacting with children on September 13. During the programme, she spoke about her experience preparing for the UPSC examination at the Residential Coaching Academy of Aligarh Muslim University. Bushra attended the event in police uniform.

She also encouraged more students to join the academy and prepare for competitive examinations.

The words Bushra used at the beginning and end of the video turned controversial. She greeted her audience Assalam Alaikum in the beginning of the video and Insha Allah, and Jazakallah. The organisation Hindu Legal Fund-raised objections and also submitted a complaint to the Bengal Home Minister.

The complaint alleged that Bushra Banu used phrases such as Assalam Alaikum, Insha Allah, and Jazakallah, but did not use Vande Mataram or Jai Hind.

The organisation stated in its complaint that an officer representing India should maintain neutrality and use national phrases in public communication. It also sought an appropriate review of the matter and action in this regard.