A political controversy has emerged regarding the transfer of a Muslim Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in West Bengal. The Opposition has suggested that her transfer is linked to her use of Islamic greetings. In contrast, a government official has described the transfer as a routine administrative decision. This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding religious identity and governance in the region.
“It was a routine transfer,” a senior officer said, seeking anonymity. The officer’s clarification came amid claims that Bano was transferred for saying “ Assalamalaikum & Inshallah”. The development also came amid a complaint by a Hindu rights group that the 2021-batch IPS officer used Islamic greetings instead of saying “Vande Mataram” or “Jai Hind” in a social media video.
“For a country whose Prime Minister inaugurated new Parliament with sengol & bare chested sadhus, transferring a Muslim IPS officer for saying Assalamalaikum & Inshallah is ridiculous. We are a nation gone mad, poisoned with hate & bigotry. God Save India,” Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra wrote on X. “A serving officer representing the Indian state should maintain neutrality and use national expressions in public communication.
After filing its complaint with the police, the Hindu Legal Fund alleged that Bano “began with Assalamualaikum, used Inshallah, ended with Jazakallah — and did not use Vande Mataram or Jai Hind”. Seeking appropriate review and action,” it said on X.
