Why some Indian civil servants become heroes for doing their jobs

Mundhe has been criticised by sections of the food and hospitality industry over his enforcement drives. He has rejected allegations of selective or unlawful action, saying inspections are evidence-driven and licences are suspended only in serious cases.Batth, too, has faced flak for acting against illegal encroachments, with critics alleging his enforcement is selective and disproportionately affects vulnerable people. In several viral videos, he has said his actions are carried out strictly under town-planning rules.Jaswal explains a street vendor's stall may be an unauthorised structure in the eyes of the law, but could be a family's only source of income. And in a country where millions migrate to cities in search of work, unsanctioned living spaces could be the only way to find a place to stay.This tension between the law and economics helps explain why the same enforcement action can be viewed as both lawful and harsh.Bureaucrats also face challenges of their own while carrying out their duties.Pushpa Sundar, who briefly served as a civil servant and has written extensively on development issues, says officers can face political pressure and transfers when they refuse to comp...