MPSC students' protest over: Tukaram Mundhe to head inquiry committee, committee chairman Vivek Bhimanwar sent on leave

The appointment of IAS Tukaram Mundhe has brought hope to Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants. Adding an FDA commissioner to the investigative committee helps the government address concerns about alleged hiring irregularities. However, ending the protest also required an assurance on the position of commission chairman Vivk Bhimanwar.

The MPSC aspirants ended their agitation late on Sunday night, October 11, after 10 days of protests in Pune. They gathered at SM Joshi Bridge over alleged paper leaks and other irregularities.

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The Maharashtra government appointed Tukaram Mundhe as the secretary of the committee, with former judge Dilip Bhosale as its chairman. Other members include Laxmi Gautam, Ganesh Patil and former judge PD Naik, PTI reported.

Mundhe’s reputation as a man of integrity gives his appointment significance for students seeking civil service jobs. His career includes fighting against illegal sand mining, encroachment and misuse of public money.

He also worked on water supply issues and reduced teacher absenteeism. Such actions give applicants reason to expect a thorough investigation of their complaints.

However, his appointment alone did not satisfy every protester. Many insisted that their main demand remained the removal of Vivek Bhimanwar. Differences surfaced when MLA Rohit Pawar suggested keeping Bhimanwar at a safe distance until the investigation is over.

Minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale consulted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and came back with an assurance. Bhimanwar subsequently announced that he would remain on leave during the investigation.

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“The state government has announced a judicial inquiry into the MPSC paper leak case. Throughout my life, I have always given priority to ethics. Hence, I have decided to go on leave during this period instead of continuing in service till this inquiry is completed,” he wrote in a post on social media.

Pawar welcomed Mundhe’s inclusion but hoped the committee would be given the freedom to work properly. The candidates also sought reforms, more hiring options and the withdrawal of cases against protest representatives. The government has promised to address several demands, including recruiting 70,000 jobs over three years.

The impact of Mundhe will depend on the findings of the inquiry and the improvement of recruitment. For now, his appointment offers hope as students wait for results.

Rise of Tukaram Mundhe

Tukaram Mundhe’s own journey can encourage students who are facing financial difficulties and repeated failed exams. Mundhe grew up in a farming family in the drought-prone Tadsonna village of Beed district.

During his school years, he worked in the fields and sold vegetables to support his family. He later completed his Masters in Political Science from Aurangabad.

After failing the UPSC exam thrice, Mundhe passed in the fourth attempt. He secured 20th rank in 2004 and joined IAS in 2005.

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For struggling aspirants, this journey is an example of patience, hard work and determination. His experience of hardship may also reinforce the expectation that he understands their difficulties.

Mundhe faced 25 transfers in 21 years of service. He sees each transfer as another opportunity to improve public services. His work in food safety included inspections and action against businesses that broke the rules. Its declared principles are legality, moral correctness and public interest.

Recently, Mundhe’s food safety crusade in Maharashtra has gone viral. His reputation spread to the United States, where the New York Times called him a ‘rockstar’.