# West Bengal IPS officer transfer controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/west-bengal-ips-officer-transfer-controversy
> Updated: 2026-09-17T07:26:46.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2.

IPS officer Bushra Bano was transferred from her role as Additional Superintendent of Police in Kharagpur, West Bengal, to Deputy Commandant of the State Armed Police 4th Battalion. The state government cited ‘public interest’ for the transfer, which occurred roughly two and a half months after she assumed her post.

The decision followed a controversy involving a social media video Bano posted to motivate UPSC aspirants. In the video, she shared her journey and praised the Aligarh Muslim University’s Residential Coaching Academy, using Islamic expressions such as ‘Assalamualaikum’, ‘Inshallah’, and ‘Jazakallah’. 

The Hindu Legal Fund filed a complaint with the West Bengal Home Secretary, arguing that a government officer should maintain neutrality by using national expressions like ‘Vande Mataram’ or ‘Jai Hind’ instead of religious greetings. While the government has not officially linked the transfer to the video, the timing has sparked political debate, with opposition leaders questioning the decision and accusing the government of targeting a Muslim woman officer.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-17: IPS officer Bushra Bano transferred in West Bengal amid religious greeting row

West Bengal IPS officer Bushra Bano was transferred from Kharagpur following controversy over her use of Islamic greetings in a video intended to motivate civil service students.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ips-officer-bushra-bano-transferred-in-west-bengal-following-video-controversy

### 2026-09-14: IPS officer Bushra Bano transferred following religious greeting controversy

West Bengal transferred IPS officer Bushra Bano to the State Armed Police after a Hindu group complained about her use of Islamic greetings in a motivational video for UPSC aspirants.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bushra-bano-west-bengal-ips-officer-transferred-after-religious-greeting-controversy

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Cite as: West Bengal IPS officer transfer controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/west-bengal-ips-officer-transfer-controversy
