ISLAMABAD: An Indian Muslim female police officer in West Bengal has been transferred after posting an inspirational video on social media that used Muslim salutations such as ‘Assalam-o-Alaikum’ and ‘InshaAllah,’ Indian media reported on Friday.
Indian newspaper The Tribune reported that Dr Bushra Bano was transferred from her post as Additional Superintendent of Police in Kharagpur (West Bengal) within weeks of taking charge.
“She posted a video on social media about her competitive exams journey to inspire the civil service aspirants,” the newspaper wrote.
In her video, Bushra Bano shared her preparation for the Union Public Service Commission exam.
However, some right-wing groups objected to her using the Muslim salutations, with one of them claiming to have filed a complaint with the West Bengal Home Secretary.
In a post on X, a group commented, “A serving officer representing the Indian state should maintain neutrality and use national expressions in public communication.”
In its report, The Indian Express wrote: "The state government transferred her as Deputy Commandant of the 4th Battalion of the State Armed Police.”
Commentators argued that the transfer notification claimed the decision was taken in the "public interest."
But All India Trinamool Congress parliamentarian Mahua Moitra criticized and questioned Bushra Bano’s transfer under the pretext of public interest.
In a post on her Facebook page, Moitra wrote, “Transferring a Muslim IPS [Indian Police Service] officer just because she said Assalamu Alaikum and Inshallah … as a nation we’re poisoned with this.”
A former government official told The Tribune that "public interest" was a vague term, and officers should not be transferred simply for using a certain salutation.
Another officer said that in Bano’s case, the decision could not be challenged as the order does not mention any specific reason behind her transfer.
The officer further said that the Indian Police Service, along with the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Forest Service, are the three All India Services, which fall under the jurisdiction of both the center and the states.
The center conducts recruitment for All India Services through the Union Public Service Commission, sets the terms and conditions of appointment, and allots states’ cadres to selected candidates.
Once they join their respective state cadres, the respective state governments decide their transfers, postings and promotions.