A video showing Parag Shah, the Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Ghatkopar in central Mumbai, walking around in dirty, tattered clothes and asking people for money on the streets has gone viral online and triggered widespread discussion.
Shah, who declared assets worth over ₹3,383 crore in his 2024 Lok Sabha election nomination papers — making him one of the wealthiest elected representatives in India — said the episode was neither a political stunt nor an attempt at public relations. Instead, he explained that he was following the guidance of Jain spiritual teacher Rashtrasant Namramuni Maharaj, who instructed him to temporarily shed his identity and live as a person without means.
According to Shah, the exercise was intended to help him understand the daily struggles faced by homeless and impoverished individuals. He said the experience was meant to create empathy and self-awareness, not to generate media attention. After spending several days on the streets of Ghatkopar in beggar's attire, returning to his affluent lifestyle.
The viral footage shows Shah wearing worn-out garments, appearing unkempt, and interacting with passersby who were largely unaware of his true identity. Some members of the public reportedly offered him small amounts of money or food, unaware that they were interacting with a sitting MLA.
Political observers noted the stark contrast between Shah's real-world wealth and the persona he adopted during the experiment. His declaration of assets includes properties, financial holdings, and other valuable possessions across multiple states.
The video has drawn mixed reactions on social media. Some praised Shah for taking time to reflect on inequality and privilege, while others questioned whether such an act was genuine or a calculated move to generate visibility ahead of future political developments.
Shah has not yet made any formal statement beyond his initial explanation. The Ghatkopar constituency office has not released any additional comment on the matter.
