BJP MLA Parag Shah spends a day disguised as beggar in Mumbai

The brief

Context

Parag Shah, the BJP MLA from Ghatkopar (East) in Mumbai and a real estate businessman, is among Maharashtra's wealthiest legislators, having declared assets of over ₹3,383 crore in his 2024 Assembly election affidavit. He spent a day on Mumbai's streets disguised as a beggar, leaving behind his security detail, cars and expensive possessions, and used makeup so people would not recognise him. He said he did this on the advice of his Jain spiritual guru Namramuni during an ongoing month considered significant in Jain religious tradition. A video of the MLA in disguise went viral on social media before the details of the exercise became known.

Key facts

• Parag Shah, BJP MLA from Ghatkopar (East), spent a day on Mumbai's streets dressed as a beggar, seeking alms and eating food offered to him by the roadside.
• Shah declared assets worth more than ₹3,383 crore in his affidavit for the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, making him the state's richest candidate at the time.
• He left behind his security detail, vehicles and expensive belongings, and underwent makeup to avoid recognition, spending several hours on the streets.
• Shah said he undertook the exercise on the advice of his Jain spiritual guru Namramuni during an ongoing month significant in Jain religious tradition, as reported by PTI.
• Shah said someone gave him ₹20 saying 'Go baba, eat food', and a samosa seller gave him a samosa free of charge even after he said he had no money.
• After removing his makeup, Shah returned to some of the same places and spoke to the same people again to observe their reactions.
• Shah, active in the real estate sector, has previously served as a corporator of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
• Shah said of the experience: '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.'

Timeline

1. 2024 Maharashtra Assembly electionsShah declares assets of over ₹3,383 crore in his election affidavit, making him the state's richest candidate at the time.
2. Ongoing month significant in Jain tradition (date not stated in the source)On his guru Namramuni's advice, Shah spends several hours on Mumbai's streets disguised as a beggar.
3. Same day, after the exerciseShah removes his makeup, revisits some of the same places and speaks to the same people, then shares the experience with his guru and others.
4. SubsequentlyA video of the MLA in disguise goes viral on social media, surprising viewers before details of the act emerge.

Who has a stake

• Parag Shah, BJP MLA (Ghatkopar East) — Sought a first-hand understanding of how people behave when social status is unknown; his wealth and public image are under scrutiny after the viral video.
• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — Public perception of its legislators, including the contrast between declared wealth of ₹3,383 crore and an exercise in humility.
• Jain spiritual guru Namramuni — Advised the exercise during a month held significant in Jain religious tradition; the act reflects on his spiritual guidance.
• Mumbai's street vendors and passers-by (including the samosa seller) — Their everyday generosity became the subject of a legislator's public account of the city's willingness to help.
• Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation — Civic body where Shah earlier served as corporator; urban poverty and destitution fall within its governance remit.

Why it matters

The episode puts a spotlight on the extreme social distance between India's wealthiest elected representatives and the destitute they represent, and on how status shapes everyday treatment in a big city. It also raises questions about whether such symbolic acts of empathy translate into policy attention for urban poverty, begging and informal hawkers.