IPS OFFICER IN INDIA BUSHRA BANO TRANSFERRED OVER ASSALAMUALAIKUM, INSHALLAH AFTER HINDUTVA ONLINE ATTACK

Tue 15 September 2026:

Dr Bushra Bano moved from Kharagpur to State Armed Police post following controversy over video addressed to UPSC aspirants

West Bengal IPS officer Dr Bushra Bano has been transferred days after a video in which she encouraged UPSC aspirants sparked controversy over her use of Islamic expressions including ‘Assalam-o-Alaikum’ and ‘In sha Allah’.

According to an official notification issued by the Police Service Cell of the Home & Hill Affairs Department, Bano, who was serving as Additional Superintendent of Police in Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, has been appointed Deputy Commandant of the State Armed Police (SAP) 4th Battalion.

The order, dated September 14, describes the changes as a minor administrative reshuffle involving three officers. It states that the appointments have been made in the public interest with immediate effect.

Complaint filed with West Bengal Home Secretary regarding IPS Bushra Bano’s official video statement.

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…

— Hindu Legal Fund (@HinduLegalFund) September 13, 2026

Video Triggers Social Media Controversy

Bano, a 2021-batch IPS officer, uploaded a video on September 13 discussing her journey toward the civil services and the role Aligarh Muslim University’s Residential Coaching Academy played in helping her prepare for the UPSC examination.

The video subsequently attracted criticism on social media.

An X account identified as Hindu Legal Fund claimed that it had submitted a complaint to the Bengal Home Secretary over the video. The account alleged: “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.”

The expressions referenced in the controversy are commonly used in Islamic communities. ‘Assalam-o-Alaikum’ means “peace be upon you”, ‘In sha Allah’ means “Allah willing”, while ‘JazakAllah’ is an expression meaning “may Allah reward you”.

The controversy has consequently raised a broader debate on the extent to which public officials should use religious expressions when communicating publicly, particularly on social media.

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra criticised the development, drawing a comparison with the government’s reported creation of a prayer room 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,” she said.

“We are with you Bushara,” Moitra said.

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. We are with you Bushara. pic.twitter.com/kW9hIspIkc

— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) September 14, 2026

The controversy has also drawn comparisons with the case of Uttar Pradesh police officer Anuj Chaudhary. Chaudhary, then posted as Circle Officer in Sambhal, participated in a religious Rath Yatra while in uniform and was seen carrying a mace. He was later promoted to Additional Superintendent of Police in Firozabad.

सलाम करने पर बुशरा बानो का ट्रांसफर कर दिया गया और वर्दी में धार्मिक यात्रा में शामिल होने पर अनुज चौधरी का प्रमोशन कर दिया गया था।

हिंदू लीगल फंड नामक एक वेबसाइट ने IPS बुशरा बानो की बंगाल के गृह सचिव से शिकायत दर्ज की थी।

आरोप लगा था कि आईपीएस बुशरा ने सलाम किया, इंशाल्लाह का… pic.twitter.com/SZIlv4bGdP

— Kavish aziz (@azizkavish) September 15, 2026

“Bushra Bano was transferred for offering a greeting, while Anuj Chaudhary was promoted for joining a religious pilgrimage in uniform,” journalist Kavish Aziz said.

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Bano’s Journey to the IPS

Bano is originally from Sork Qaswa in Uttar Pradesh’s Kannauj district. She completed an MBA and obtained a PhD in Human Resource Management from Aligarh Muslim University in 2014.

She later worked as an assistant professor in Saudi Arabia before returning to India to prepare for the civil services examination.

Bano secured All India Rank 277 in the 2018 UPSC examination and was allotted the Indian Railway Traffic Service, but chose not to join.

She subsequently appeared for the examination again and achieved Rank 234, earning selection to the Indian Police Service and allocation to the West Bengal cadre.

Her transfer now places her in the State Armed Police, while the official government order provides no stated explanation beyond the administrative reshuffle.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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