Veteran actor Shabana Azmi has been diagnosed with swine flu and was forced to miss a student protest in Mumbai after doctors advised her to take complete bed rest, writes Hindustan Times.
Azmi, who had spent the past three days supporting students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, was expected to join another demonstration at Shivaji Park on Friday.
However, her plans were cancelled after she developed a high fever.
In a statement, her team said the actor was suffering from a 102-degree fever and had been placed in isolation for five days.
“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.
Over the past week, the veteran actor has been actively supporting the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student movement, which is demanding accountability over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and broader education reforms.
Azmi participated in the “Chalo Sansad” march in New Delhi on 20 July and regularly shared updates from the protest site on social media.
In an earlier interview with The Indian Express, the 75-year-old revealed that she suffered an asthma attack after being exposed to tear gas during the protest.
“I am an asthmatic and got an attack because of the tear gas, but I had my pump with me so I am okay now,” she said.
She added that she was escorted to a nearby building before returning to speak with students who had allegedly been lathi-charged.
“Their spirit is unprecedented. My salaams to all of them,” Azmi said.
The CJP-led agitation has continued for nearly a month, with students demanding action over the alleged NEET paper leak and other examination irregularities.
The movement has since expanded into a nationwide campaign calling for greater transparency and reforms in India’s education system.
Meanwhile, activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his hunger strike early Friday after fasting in solidarity with the students for more than 20 days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said those accused in the alleged NEET paper leak had been arrested and announced that fast-track courts would be set up to expedite the case.
The Congress party is scheduled to hold another protest in central Delhi over the NEET issue and the police action against student demonstrators.
