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Shabana Azmi has rarely stayed away from a cause she believes in. But this time, the veteran actor and activist has been forced to hit pause. Days after being diagnosed with swine flu and advised complete bed rest, Azmi had to miss the latest round of protests she was expected to attend. While the illness has temporarily kept her away from the streets, let’s take a look at her decades-long legacy of activism. We have often seen Shabana Azmi participating in protests, hunger strikes and peace marches across the country.
Also Read: Shabana Azmi Diagnosed With Swine Flu, Misses Protest As Doctors Advise Complete Bed Rest
2026: Standing With Students In NEET Row
Most recently, Azmi travelled to New Delhi to support students protesting over alleged
irregularities in the NEET examination and broader concerns surrounding the education system. She also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to begin a dialogue with activist Sonam Wangchuk and the protesting students. During one of the demonstrations, Azmi reportedly suffered an asthma attack after tear gas was used.
A statement from her team read, “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 actress had posted many photographs and videos from the protest venue, and also lent her voice to the movement. In one post, Shabana wrote, “Alan e Haq mein khatra e daar o rasan tto hai lekin sawaal ye hai ke daar o rasan ke baad ? Kaifi Azmi. Declaring the truth invites the threat of the scaffold and the rope. Yet the real question is: what lies beyond the scaffold and the rope?”
“The couplet reflects on the cost of speaking the truth. It acknowledges that standing for truth may lead to persecution or even death (“the gallows and the noose”), but then asks a deeper question: What happens after that? Depending on interpretation, it can suggest that truth outlives oppression, that martyrdom is not the end, or that those who wield punishment cannot ultimately silence the truth.”
In the second post, she wrote, “Climbing up with the help of young colleagues to the protest site at #Jantar Mantar to demand reforms within our educational system and an overhaul of the entire system. Allocate 6 percent of GDP to education, public health and women’s empowerment to measure the success of our country.”
During one of the protest gatherings, Shabana also fell ill and was seen being escorted to an emergency medical centre after her health deteriorated. Despite feeling unwell, she continued to show her support for the cause.
2006: Silent March After Mumbai Train Blasts
Following the July 11 Mumbai train bombings, Azmi led a silent march at Kaifi Azmi Park in Juhu along with members of the film fraternity, including Anil Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar and Dia Mirza. Addressing the gathering, she said, “We have gathered here at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of non-violence, to express our solidarity with those who lost their lives, for the only crime of being at that place at that time 48 hours ago. It could have been any of us.”
She also added, “Every time they raise a bogey of fear, we will invoke the mantra of peace. Every time they would like terror to rule, we will vote for Love and Trust. Every time they would spread darkness of hatred, we will light a candle of Hope and Humanity.”
Late 1980s: Raising Her Voice After Safdar Hashmi’s Murder
Following the murder of theatre activist Safdar Hashmi, Azmi joined demonstrations demanding justice. She publicly condemned political violence and stood alongside members of the theatre and artistic community. Safdar Hashmi was fatally attacked on January 1, 1989, while performing the street play Halla Bol in Sahibabad, India, during municipal elections.
1989: Protest Against HKL Bhagat
Shabana Azmi demonstrated against Congress leader HKL Bhagat during the International Film Festival of India in New Delhi. The protest focused on accountability in the aftermath of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The festival took place just weeks after the tragic killing of street theater activist Safdar Hashmi.
1985: Hunger Strike For Mumbai Slum Dwellers
One of Azmi’s earliest and most memorable protests came in 1985 when she undertook a five-day hunger strike as part of the Nagara Haq movement. She campaigned against the demolition of Mumbai slums and demanded proper rehabilitation for displaced residents.
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