BJP's richest Maharashtra MLA spends day as beggar on guru's advice
Maharashtra BJP MLA Parag Shah, one of the state’s richest legislators, spent a day dressed as a beggar on the streets of Mumbai’s Ghatkopar after a suggestion from his Jain spiritual guru during an ongoing special month in Jain tradition. A video of the exercise has gone viral on social media, with many initially surprised before the reason behind the act became known.
Shah, the MLA from Ghatkopar East and a businessman, said the experience gave him a glimpse of the “reality of life”. To carry it out, he gave up his security cover, vehicles and expensive belongings, underwent makeup so that people would not recognise him, and spent several hours seeking alms.
Recalling the experience, Shah said, “All the respect and honour, the people who line up to meet you -- the same people, when I go to them, become taller than me. So, that is the reality of life.” He also said the exercise showed him the helpful nature of people in Mumbai.
“Someone gave me Rs 20 saying, ‘Go baba, eat food’. There was a samosa seller there. I went to him and took a samosa, and he gave it without any charge. I saw one thing, Mumbai city is such that people here are always ready to help one another,” Shah said.
He added, “And that is my own experience... when I told the samosa seller that I did not have money, he still gave me the samosa with a smile -- the man was very small, a poor hawker -- but without making a face even once, he gave me the samosa.”
Shah, who is active in the real estate sector, not only begged for alms but also ate the food he received and sat by the roadside like a beggar. Later, after removing his makeup, he went back to the places he had visited and spoke to the same people again, reflecting on how they had reacted without knowing who he was. He later shared the experience with his guru and others.
Shah is known for his wealth. In his affidavit for the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, he declared assets worth more than Rs 3,383 crore, making him the state’s richest candidate at the time. The realtor-turned-politician has also served as a corporator in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 14, 2026 20:54 IST
