Former cricketer and Congress MP Mohammad Azharuddin has questioned the West Bengal government’s decision to transfer IPS officer Dr Bushra Bano, linking the move to a social media video in which she used Islamic greetings.
Azharuddin said it was “extremely concerning” if an IPS officer was transferred for saying “Assalamualaikum” and “Inshallah”. He said that using a greeting should not become a reason to target a public servant and questioned what such an action would signal to minorities.
Azharuddin also said India’s strength lies in its diversity and not in controlling people’s identities.
Mohammad Azharuddin questioned Bano’s transfer in a tweet on Tuesday.
Why did Bushra Bano’s video trigger controversy?
Bano had posted a video on social media on September 13 in which she encouraged aspirants preparing for the UPSC examination. Wearing her police uniform, she began the video with “Assalamu Alaikum”, used “Inshallah” during her message and ended it with “Jazakallah”.
The video drew criticism from some social media users over the use of the Islamic expressions. The video has since been deleted from her social media account.
An X account named ‘Hindu Legal Fund’ shared the video and claimed that it had submitted a complaint to the West Bengal Home Secretary. The account questioned why Bano had not used expressions such as “Vande Mataram” or “Jai Hind” in the video and argued that public officials should maintain impartiality in their public communication.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra also shared the letter containing Bano’s transfer order.
Mahua Moitra backs Bushra Bano
TMC MP Mahua Moitra also reacted to the controversy and defended Bano. She contrasted the controversy over the IPS officer’s video with the reported arrangement of a prayer room at the BRICS Summit.
Moitra alleged that Bano had been sidelined merely for using “Assalamu Alaikum” and “JazakAllah” and said that she stood with the IPS officer.
A screenshot from Bushra Bano’s video. She has deleted the video from her social media account.
Where has Bushra Bano been transferred?
Bano was serving as Additional SP in Kharagpur, West Midnapore. The West Bengal government transferred her on Monday and appointed her as Deputy Commandant of the fourth battalion of the State Armed Police (SAP).
Partha Ghosh will take charge as the new Additional SP in Kharagpur, West Midnapore, replacing Bano.
