Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Maharashtra’s Wealthiest MLA Spends Day Begging in Mumbai
Parag Shah is a wealthy politician in Maharashtra.
He dressed up like a person asking for help at a railway station.
He wanted to understand how people treat someone who appears poor.
A person gave him ₹20 for food.
A samosa seller also gave him food and smiled, even though Shah said he had no money.
Shah ate the food and sat by the road like a beggar.
Later, he removed his makeup and spoke with some of the same people.
He said the experience would help him think about better welfare, housing and public services.
Parag Shah, described as Maharashtra’s richest MLA, disguised himself as a beggar at Ghatkopar railway station.
The experience followed guidance from Rashtrasant Shri Namramuni Maharaj Saheb during the Paryushan festival.
A samosa vendor gave Shah food despite learning that he had no money, while another person gave him ₹20.
Shah ate the food he received and sat roadside before later removing his makeup and revisiting people he had met.
Shah said the experience would shape his thinking about social welfare, housing and public services.
- Who
- Parag Shah, a Maharashtra MLA and realtor-cum-politician.
- What
- He disguised himself as a beggar, asked for help, ate food he received and observed people’s reactions.
- When
- September 14, 2026, during the Paryushan festival.
- Where
- The Ghatkopar railway station area and other places Shah visited afterward in Mumbai.
- Why
- He said he was following guidance on compassion and humanity from Rashtrasant Shri Namramuni Maharaj Saheb and wanted the experience to inform his views on social welfare, housing and public services.
- Person
- Parag Shah
- Reported assets
- Around ₹3,383 crore in his 2024 Maharashtra Assembly election affidavit
- Location
- Ghatkopar railway station area, Mumbai
- Date
- September 14, 2026
- Amount received
- ₹20 from one person
- Food received
- A samosa from a vendor
- Previous public role
- Former corporator of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation