Veteran actor and social activist Shabana Azmi has been diagnosed with swine flu and has been advised complete bed rest after developing a high fever.

The 74-year-old, who had been expected to take part in the ongoing protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, will not be attending after doctors instructed her to rest.

According to her team, Azmi is suffering from swine flu and has been running a temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sharing an update on her health, her team said in a statement, "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."

Had been actively supporting the movement

Before falling ill, Azmi had been a regular presence at the demonstrations taking place at Jantar Mantar. She attended the protests over several days, stood alongside demonstrators and frequently used her social media accounts to keep followers informed about developments at the venue.

Azmi also shared photographs and videos from the protest site, expressing solidarity with the campaign and amplifying its message through her online platforms.

Among the messages she shared was a couplet by her father, the renowned poet Kaifi Azmi.

She 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 verse reflects on the price of speaking the truth. While it recognises that standing up for one's beliefs may invite persecution or even death, it also raises a larger question about what comes after such punishment. The couplet has often been interpreted as suggesting that truth ultimately survives oppression and cannot be permanently silenced.

In another post, Azmi described her visit to the protest venue, writing: "Climbing up with the help of young colleagues to the protest site at #JantarMantar 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."

Health had deteriorated during protest

Azmi had also experienced health problems while attending one of the protest gatherings earlier this week. After her condition worsened at the venue, she was escorted to an emergency medical centre for treatment.

Despite feeling unwell at the time, she continued to back the movement and remained vocal in her support for the protesters, both on the ground and through her social media posts.

The protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar are being led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement that began over allegations of repeated examination paper leaks and broader concerns about the education system. The protesters are demanding reforms in education, action against those responsible for alleged exam irregularities, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and increased public spending on education, health and women's empowerment. The movement has drawn support from students, parents, activists and several public figures, including Shabana Azmi 

Agency inputs