Shabana Azmi has announced that she has been diagnosed with H1N1 and is currently recovering after developing a high fever. The 75-year-old actor said she has been instructed to stay in isolation for five days and take complete rest.

Despite being unwell, Azmi used her social media update to reaffirm her support for the young people participating in the ongoing student-led agitation over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.

The actor had recently taken part in the 'Chalo Sansad' march in Delhi, joining students and other demonstrators who gathered to demand changes in the country's examination and education systems. Images and videos of her presence at the protest circulated widely online.

Azmi said she continued to draw inspiration from the determination shown by the young protesters, many of whom, she noted, were participating in a public demonstration for the first time.

Her involvement in the agitation came on July 20, when she joined a large gathering that marched towards Parliament as the Monsoon Session got underway. She later shared pictures from the protest alongside actor Prakash Raj, with the two seen on top of a vehicle amid the crowd.

The veteran actor also rejected suggestions that the demonstration was anything other than peaceful and welcomed reports that the government had agreed to engage with the protesters.

In another social media post, Azmi spoke about her experience at Jantar Mantar and called for wider reforms in education and other public sectors. She also shared verses written by her father, renowned poet Kaifi Azmi, highlighting the challenges faced by those who choose to speak out against injustice.

Azmi's participation in the protest was not without health complications. She later revealed that exposure to tear gas triggered an asthma attack. However, she had her inhaler with her and was able to recover.

After receiving assistance, Azmi said she returned to the protest area to meet students who she claimed had been subjected to police action. She praised their determination and said their resolve had left a strong impression on her.

Explaining why she decided to join the demonstration, Azmi said she and her husband, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar, had initially attempted to raise the issue privately with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Azmi, the couple had written to the Prime Minister urging the government to open a dialogue with activist Sonam Wangchuk.

After waiting for a response, the actor said they eventually decided to publicly participate in the movement.

The protests have intensified in recent weeks, with students demanding discussions with the Centre and seeking accountability over alleged irregularities surrounding the NEET-UG examination. The agitation also saw Wangchuk undertake a prolonged hunger strike, which ended on Thursday.

The July 20 march towards Parliament was stopped by Delhi Police, leading to confrontations between protesters and security personnel. The police action, including the alleged use of tear gas and force, subsequently triggered widespread debate.

Azmi's decision to physically join the demonstration has made her one of the more prominent figures from the film industry to participate directly in the protests, rather than limiting her support to statements or social media posts.