Who Is Parag Shah, The Rs. 3,383-Crore Mumbai MLA Who Became A Beggar For A Day? | WATCH

Mumbai MLA Parag Shah, who has declared assets worth more than Rs. 3,383 crore, recently spent a day dressed as a beggar on the streets of Ghatkopar.

The BJP politician left behind his security detail, cars and expensive belongings before taking to the streets and asking people for food and money.

So, who is Parag Shah, and why did he do it?

ALSO WATCH: Maharashtra MLA Mocks Equal Opportunity Bill

Who is Parag Shah?

Shah is the BJP MLA from Mumbai’s Ghatkopar East constituency and is currently serving his second term. He was first elected from the seat in 2019 and retained it in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections.

He comes from a construction and real estate background. Shah joined his family’s construction business in 1991 and later founded Man Infraconstruction Ltd in 2002. The company went public in 2010 and has interests across infrastructure and real estate.

Before entering the Maharashtra Assembly, Shah served as a BJP municipal councillor from Ghatkopar East.

His wealth has also made him a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics.

According to his 2024 election affidavit, Shah declared total assets of Rs. 3,383.06 crore, with liabilities of around Rs. 37.9 lakh. His declared assets were up from around Rs. 500.62 crore in 2019.

ALSO WATCH: This BJP MLA Wants To Bomb Some People

Why did a Rs. 3,383-crore MLA become a beggar?

The unusual act was reportedly carried out during the Jain Chaturmas period, following a suggestion from Shah’s spiritual guru, Namramuni Maharaj.

Shah said his guru asked him to experience life as a beggar for a day and understand what it felt like to live without the privileges that come with wealth and status.

Shah then underwent makeup so that people would not recognise him and spent several hours on the streets of Ghatkopar in the guise of a beggar.

He gave up his security cover, vehicles and other belongings for the exercise.

What happened on the streets?

Shah said the experience showed him how differently people respond when they do not know a person's identity or social position.

At one point, he reportedly went to his own residential complex in disguise. His security guard did not recognise him and pushed him away. He also said that someone he knew, who usually helped people, did not recognise him and turned him away when he approached as a beggar.

But there were also people who helped him.

Shah said a person gave him Rs. 20 and told him to buy food. A samosa seller also gave him food without taking any money.

After removing his disguise, Shah returned to some of the same locations and spoke to people about the experience.

ALSO READ: Who Is Deepak Mhaske, BJP’s New Social Media Convener Replacing Amit Malviya?

What did Parag Shah say about the experience?

Shah said the exercise made him reflect on how people treat someone differently depending on their position and circumstances.

He also said the experience showed him the willingness of people in Mumbai to help strangers.

For Shah, the exercise was ultimately a spiritual experience centred on humility, detachment and understanding life without the comforts associated with wealth and political power.

The episode has since attracted widespread attention after videos of Shah dressed as a beggar circulated online.

ALSO READ: Who Is Neha Bora? Why Is The JNU Scholar Talking About Umar Khalid?
ALSO READ: Once Again, Screens Go Up Ahead Of BRICS Summit | Delhi Residents Ask, “Why Hide Us?”
ALSO READ: Who Was Brishti Mukherjee? Mamata Banerjee’s Niece Found Dead In Bengal