The West Bengal government transferred a Muslim IPS officer named Bushara Bano following criticism from Hindutva groups over her use of Islamic greetings in an online video, where she discussed her preparation for the Union Public Service Commission exam.
On Monday, the West Bengal government made a change in its police force by transferring Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Bushara Bano. The decision came two days after Hindutva groups criticized Bano for using Islamic greetings such as 'assalamualaikum' and 'jazakallah' in a video she posted online on Sunday. The video featured Bano discussing her preparation for the Union Public Service Commission exam with the help of the Residential Coaching Academy of Aligarh Muslim University in Uttar Pradesh.
The Hindutva groups, including The Jaipur Dialogue and the Hindu Legal Fund, criticized Bano for not saying 'Vande Mataram' or 'Jai Hind'. They argued that a serving officer should maintain neutrality and use national expressions in public communication. As a result, they filed a complaint with the West Bengal home secretary seeking action against Bano.
Prior to the transfer, Bano was the additional superintendent of police in Paschim Medinipur district’s Kharagpur. Following the transfer, she is now the deputy commanding officer of the State Armed Police’s 4th battalion. Two other officers were also transferred as part of the same order.
The Opposition criticized the government’s decision, with Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra stating that while one Bharatiya Janata Party government was showcasing secular credentials at the BRICS summit in Delhi by creating a 'prayer room', another at the state level was sidelining Muslim women IPS officers over the use of Islamic greetings.
Source:
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