Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar has lauded his wife, Shabana Azmi, for her courageous participation in the CJP protests against NEET paper leaks, describing it as a 'call of the conscience'.

  • Shabana Azmi physically joined students at Jantar Mantar to protest against NEET paper leaks.
  • The actress suffered an asthma attack due to tear gas and was later diagnosed with H1N1.
  • Javed Akhtar highlighted her lifelong commitment to social justice and activism.

In a poignant reflection on activism and conscience, legendary lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has stated that he is "proud" of his wife, Shabana Azmi, for her active involvement in the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests in New Delhi. While many Bollywood celebrities limited their support to digital platforms, Azmi took the bold step of walking side-by-side with students at Jantar Mantar, demanding accountability for the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) paper leaks.

Speaking on the podcast 'Lets Talk With DevnaG', Akhtar revealed that this spirit of defiance is intrinsic to Shabana. He noted that while she has aged, her core values remain unchanged. The protests, however, took a toll on her health; on July 20, after Delhi Police deployed tear bombs, Azmi suffered an asthma attack. This was followed by a diagnosis of the H1N1 virus, which unfortunately prevented her from joining subsequent student demonstrations in Mumbai.

Read Also:1939 James Stewart Classic 'Destry Rides Again' Ranked Among Best Westerns of All Time

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that Shabana Azmi's decision to move from 'digital dissent' to 'physical presence' serves as a critique of the performative activism prevalent in the Indian film industry. By risking her health and legal standing, she reinforces the role of the artist as a social watchdog, emphasizing that systemic corruption in education requires tangible resistance.

Akhtar recalled the early days of their relationship in the late 1970s, noting that Shabana was already deeply involved in social causes. He recounted a specific instance where she called him from London to inform him of her intent to join the Delhi protests. "The moment she told me I cannot not go, I knew the old Shabana had woken up, and nobody can stop her," Akhtar remarked, emphasizing that her actions were driven by a profound sense of moral obligation.

"When your conscience is pushed against the wall, you have to do it... otherwise you won’t be able to look into the mirror."

This is not an isolated incident in Azmi's history. She has a storied legacy of activism, most notably during the 1993 protests at Cuffe Parade, Mumbai, where she stood with slum dwellers against forced demolitions. Her commitment was so absolute that after being arrested, she refused to seek bail. In a legendary act of defiance, she performed in the play 'Tumhari Amrita' at Tata Theatre while still in police custody, appearing on stage in the same dusty clothes she wore during her detention.

The couple's attempt to resolve the NEET issue through diplomatic channels also came to light. Before hitting the streets, Shabana and Javed had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting a dialogue with the students. However, after three days of silence from the administration despite an acknowledgment of the letter, Azmi decided that direct action was the only remaining path.

Did You Know?: Shabana Azmi is the daughter of the legendary poet Kaifi Azmi, whose own legacy of progressive poetry heavily influenced her lifelong commitment to social justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why did Shabana Azmi join the CJP protests?
She joined to support students protesting against the leak of the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) papers.

2. What health complications did she face during the protest?
She suffered an asthma attack due to tear gas and was subsequently diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.