Cinema VinesVeteran actress Shabana Azmi, who spent three days on the ground with students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, was slated to join a demonstration at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday. The plan fell through when doctors diagnosed her with swine flu and advised complete bed rest, forcing her to stay away from the protest.
Earlier this week Azmi had been actively involved in the Chalo Sansad protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. She had marched in Delhi on July 20, standing in solidarity with students and sharing updates from the protest site on her social media handles.
After the diagnosis, Azmi’s team released a statement saying she was running a high fever of 102 degrees and was in isolation for five days under medical supervision. “Shabana ji was meant to go to the protest today, but she has contracted swine flu with 102 fever and has been advised rest by the doctor,” the statement read.
Azmi had also suffered an asthma attack during the Jantar Mantar protest after exposure to tear gas. She described how she managed the attack with her inhaler, was escorted to a nearby building for breath, and then returned to speak with students who had been lathi‑charged. She praised their unprecedented spirit and sent her salutations to them.
The student protests, led by the CJP, have continued for nearly a month, with activists like Sonam Wangchuk joining the movement and even going on hunger strike. The demonstrators call for the resignation of the education minister, a comprehensive overhaul of the examination system, and broader reforms to India’s education sector. The movement has spread across the country, turning into a nationwide campaign.
