BJP MLA Parag Shah, worth Rs 3,383 crore, poses as beggar on Ghatkopar streets

A video of a man begging on the streets of Mumbai has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion, after it emerged that the man is worth more than Rs 3,383 crore.

The man seen in the video is Parag Shah, BJP MLA from Ghatkopar East. The video shows Shah, dressed as a beggar, wandering the streets of Ghatkopar. Many people were initially shocked on seeing the video, but the real reason behind it later came to light.

According to information received, Shah took on the experience of living as a beggar for a day on the advice of Jain religious leader Namramuni. The Jain community is currently observing Chaturmas, during which he was advised to undergo this experience.

Following his guru's advice, Shah set aside his security arrangements, vehicles and expensive belongings and disguised himself as a beggar. He then spent several hours wandering the streets of Ghatkopar. He begged from people, ate food that he was given, and sat by the roadside to closely understand the life of an ordinary beggar.

The experience was not limited to just the disguise. He later returned to the same places without his makeup and spoke to the people there, which helped him understand how he had genuinely felt and how people had reacted to him. This aspect of the episode is also being widely discussed on social media.

Shah's wealth has also become a talking point following the incident. According to the affidavit he filed during the 2024 assembly elections, he had declared assets worth more than Rs 3,383 crore, making him the richest candidate in Maharashtra at the time.

Shah, who is involved in real estate business, has previously served as a corporator in the municipal corporation. His experiment is now being widely discussed both in political circles and on social media.