Viral Video Shows Tukaram Mundhe Removing White Towel Before Sitting. Here’s Why It Matters

A video of Maharashtra FDA Chief Tukaram Mundhe is gaining attention on social media. The clip shows a small gesture he made before a press conference. Mundhe enters the conference room, where cameras and microphones are already arranged. He then reaches his chair and removes the white towel placed over it before sitting down. The gesture may appear ordinary at first glance. However, the white towel has a long-standing connection with government offices in India. While there is no officially recorded origin of this tradition, historians and former officials often link it to the colonial era.

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How The White Towel Became A Symbol Of Status

During British rule, government officials often travelled long distances in hot and dusty conditions. A white towel placed over a chair helped absorb sweat and kept the furniture clean. It was also easy to wash, replace and maintain. Over the years, the towel reportedly gained a symbolic meaning inside government offices. Senior officials were often given chairs covered with white towels, while junior employees and visitors usually sat on uncovered chairs. At times, an additional towel-covered chair was arranged for an important guest.

As a result, the simple white towel gradually became associated with authority, seniority and official status. Former bureaucrat Gurdeep Singh Sappal highlighted this tradition in an X post, saying, “British left, horses were sent away, but towels stayed!”Tukaram Mundhe has gained considerable public attention for his strict food safety inspections and raids across Maharashtra. His actions have earned him praise from many people, while videos and pictures of the officer frequently attract attention online.

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Why Tukaram Mundhe’s Gesture Is Getting Attention

Mundhe recently received a standing ovation at an event, further adding to his public popularity. However, the IAS officer has repeatedly played down the praise surrounding his work. In a recent interview with NDTV Profit, Mundhe said he does not consider his work extraordinary or particularly inspirational. According to him, he is simply performing the responsibilities associated with his position.

Mundhe also said that society could become much better if everyone performed their respective roles sincerely. His decision to remove the towel before sitting has therefore attracted attention, with many viewers seeing it as a small gesture against symbols of official privilege.

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