Mumbai: Veteran actor Shabana Azmi has tested positive for swine flu after spending three days on the ground supporting students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
The actor, who had been actively participating in the demonstration, has been advised to remain in isolation for five days.
She was expected to lend her support to another protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday but was forced to miss it following her diagnosis.
According to her team, Shabana is currently running a high fever of 102°F and is recovering 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,” read a statement from the actor’s team.
In recent days, Shabana had emerged as a prominent voice at the student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, extending her support to the demonstrators and standing alongside them on the ground.
Beyond participating in the agitation, the veteran also used her social media platforms to share regular updates and highlight developments from the protest site.
On July 20, Shabana joined the Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest in Delhi, lending her support to students seeking action over alleged examination irregularities.
Later, in an interview with The Indian Express, Shabana revealed that she had suffered an asthma attack after inhaling tear gas during the protest.
Recalling the moment she felt dizzy at Jantar Mantar, the veteran said, “I am an asthmatic and got an attack because of the tear gas, but I had my pump with me so I am ok now. I was respectfully escorted to a nearby building and after catching my breath, I went right back and spoke to the students who had been lathicharged. Their spirit is unprecedented. My salaams to all of them.”
For nearly a month, students led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) staged protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged NEET paper leaks and other examination irregularities.
Activist Sonam Wangchuk and several students later joined the agitation and went on hunger strike as part of the movement.
