Maharashtra BJP MLA Parag Shah, one of the state’s wealthiest legislators, recently traded his security detail, luxury cars and expensive belongings for a day on the streets of Mumbai dressed as a beggar, saying the experience offered him a deeper understanding of the “reality of life”.
A video showing the Ghatkopar East MLA in the guise of a beggar went viral on social media, leaving many people surprised until details of the unusual exercise emerged.
Shah, a businessman-turned-politician, said he undertook the experience on the advice of his Jain spiritual guru, Namramuni, during a special month considered significant in Jain religious tradition.
Following his guru’s advice, Shah temporarily gave up his security arrangements, vehicles and costly possessions. He also underwent makeup to conceal his identity before spending several hours on the streets of Ghatkopar seeking alms.
Reflecting on the experience, Shah said it offered him a different perspective on social status and human relationships.
“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 said.
The exercise also gave Shah an opportunity to witness what he described as the generosity of ordinary Mumbaikars.
He recalled receiving ₹20 from a passer-by who told him to buy food. He then approached a roadside samosa seller and asked for food, explaining that he had no money. The vendor gave him a samosa without asking for payment.
Shah said the interaction left a lasting impression on him, highlighting the willingness of people in Mumbai to help those in need.
He not only sought alms but also ate the food he received and sat by the roadside in the guise of a beggar. Later, he narrated his experience to his guru and others.
After removing his makeup and revealing his identity, Shah returned to some of the same locations he had visited earlier. He spoke to people he had encountered during the exercise, allowing him to reflect on their reactions without them initially knowing who he was.
Shah’s unusual experiment has drawn attention partly because of his considerable personal wealth. In his affidavit for the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, he declared assets worth more than ₹3,383 crore, making him the richest candidate in the state at the time.
The real estate businessman-turned-politician has also previously served as a corporator of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
