Shabana Azmi Contracts H1N1 After Jantar Mantar Protests, Misses Mumbai Demonstration
Veteran actor and activist Shabana Azmi has been diagnosed with H1N1 (swine flu) and advised to remain in isolation for five days, forcing her to miss the student-led protest held at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday.
Azmi has emerged as one of the most prominent public figures physically standing alongside students protesting over the alleged NEET paper leak controversy. Before falling ill, she spent three days actively participating in ground-level demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. During the Delhi leg of the agitation, she marched with students, joined the “Chalo Sansad” rally, rode atop a protest vehicle alongside fellow actor Prakash Raj, and served food to young activists observing a hunger strike.
Taking to social media to explain her absence from the Mumbai gathering, Azmi shared a heartfelt message with her followers: “My dear Mumbaikars, I was meant to join your protest yesterday, but I’ve come down with H1N1 and need to remain in isolation for the next five days.”
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Despite being sidelined by her illness, the actor emphasized that she remains closely connected to the movement through real-time updates from organizers. She praised the determination of the youth, many of whom are taking to the streets for the very first time. “I want to express my solidarity and appreciation,” she wrote. “Many of them have taken part in a protest for the first time and have experienced how much their voice counts. I continue to be inspired by your courage and commitment and stand by you in solidarity.”
Azmi, who stands out among celebrities for directly engaging in physical demonstrations rather than restricting her support to digital commentary, concluded her message by sharing a poem written by her late father, the renowned poet Kaifi Azmi.
