Shabana Azmi suffers asthma attack from tear gas at Delhi education protest

'Tear gas triggered asthma attack': Shabana Azmi, 75, reveals health scare at Cockroach Janta Party protest

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi suffered an asthma attack after being exposed to tear gas during a student protest in Delhi on Monday, but returned to the demonstration site after recovering with her inhaler.

The 75-year-old actor, a five-time National Film Award winner for Best Actress, joined the 'Chalo Sansad' protest organized by the Cockroach Janta Party at Jantar Mantar. She was there to support students demanding accountability over examination irregularities and calling for comprehensive education reforms.

Speaking to Subhash K Jha for Indian Express, Azmi described the incident.

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.

The protest on July 21 drew more than 10,000 participants in what became the largest demonstration yet by the youth-led movement. Delhi Police reported nearly 180 people were injured during the march toward Parliament, including 118 security personnel and 60 protesters.

Origins of the protest movement

The Cockroach Janta Party was founded on May 16, 2026, by Abhijeet Dipke in response to remarks by Chief Justice Surya Kant, who on May 15 compared unemployed youth to "cockroaches" and "parasites of society." The satirical movement rapidly gained momentum, garnering over 350,000 sign-ups and more than 20 million Instagram followers within days of its founding.

Protests at Jantar Mantar have been ongoing since June 6, representing more than six weeks of continuous demonstration. The immediate catalyst was the cancellation of the NEET-UG examination on May 12, 2026, after investigations revealed a paper leak affecting over 2.27 million aspirants. The Central Bureau of Investigation was assigned to conduct a comprehensive probe.

The controversy reflects a deeper systemic problem. India has witnessed more than 90 instances of paper leaks and examination irregularities at national and state levels over the past two decades, including at least 15 involving examinations conducted by Central agencies.

Political engagement and appeals to government

Azmi, who served as a Member of Parliament in India's Rajya Sabha from 1997 to 2003 representing the Arts constituency, emphasized her participation was not partisan.

I have never belonged to a political party and never will. I believe that puts the fetters on you as the party's truth becomes your truth. I came to Jantar Mantar in solidarity with the students who have been on a hunger strike for over 20 days and whose health is now failing.

She revealed that she and her husband, veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar, had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the issue. The couple asked the government to "initiate a dialogue with Sonam Wangchuk" but waited several days without receiving a response before deciding to join the protest.

Wangchuk, a 59-year-old engineer-turned-activist who inspired a character in the blockbuster Bollywood film '3 Idiots,' began his hunger strike on June 28, 2026. On July 18, on the 20th day of his fast, he was forcibly hospitalized by police.

Student demands and education reforms

Azmi defended the protesters' objectives.

What they are demanding is not sinister or evil. Students are asking for educational reforms to safeguard their future and an overhaul of the education system. Demanding that an allocation of 6 percent of the GDP for education is urgently required. Listen to them, give them an ear, and give them hope. Unka hausla badhaiye isse crush karne ki koshish mat kijiye (boost their hope, don't crush it).

The protesters are calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has served in the position since July 2021 and was reappointed after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He represents Sambalpur constituency in Odisha.

When questioned by PTI about the absence of other Bollywood celebrities at the march, Azmi pushed back.

You are only worried about the fact that Bollywood celebrities are not present at the March. You don't worry about the absence of industrialists, all the businessmen. When you ask these questions, you are sidelining the cause and creating unnecessary controversy. You should support those who are marching for this cause, rather than diluting the matter.