Shabana Azmi Discusses Health Scare at Student Protest and Political Neutrality

Shabana Azmi recently attended a protest supporting students in Delhi, where she experienced an asthma attack due to tear gas exposure. Despite the health scare, she returned to engage with the students. Azmi emphasized her political neutrality, clarifying that she does not belong to any political party and has always advocated for various causes without partisan bias. She praised the students for their courage and urged authorities to listen to their demands for educational reforms. This article delves into her experiences and the challenges faced by the student movement.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 21, 2026, 20:26 IST

Shabana Azmi's Experience at the Protest

Shabana Azmi recently shared her experience attending a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where she showed her support for the ongoing student movement. The renowned actress disclosed that she experienced an asthma attack due to exposure to tear gas during the protest. Despite her vocal advocacy for various causes, she clarified that she does not affiliate with any political party and has consistently avoided partisan politics.

Health Update from Shabana Azmi

During the Chalo Sansad protest, Shabana Azmi reportedly felt faint and unwell, with a viral video capturing the moment when supporters assisted her as she appeared semi-conscious. Reflecting on the incident, she stated, "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." After being escorted to a nearby building to recover, she returned to engage with the students who had faced police action during the protest.

Support for Students and Political Neutrality

Shabana also revealed that she and her husband, lyricist Javed Akhtar, had reached out to the Prime Minister on July 15, requesting a dialogue with Sonam Wangchuk. After not receiving a response, she felt compelled to visit the protest site personally. She commended the students for their bravery, emphasizing that their spirit remains strong despite the challenges they have faced.

Shabana Azmi on Political Allegations

Addressing the backlash regarding her support for CJP and Sonam Wangchuk, Shabana Azmi clarified that she is being misrepresented as opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She highlighted her past criticisms of the Congress party, including her stance on the murder of activist Safdar Hashmi and the Navara Haq slum rehabilitation issue, for which she undertook a five-day hunger strike in Mumbai. She reiterated her commitment to remaining apolitical, stating, "I have never indulged in partisan politics and have steadfastly refused to be a member of any political party." She explained her support for the student movement, noting that she attended the protest in solidarity with students who had been on hunger strike for over 20 days, advocating for educational reforms and increased budget allocations.