LUCKNOW, July 26 -- What began as a protest demanding the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan at Lucknow's Eco Garden on Saturday quickly turned into a celebration after Bhim Army founder and Nagina MP Chandra Shekhar Azad announced from the stage that the minister had stepped down.

Thousands of students and young supporters had gathered at the protest venue since early afternoon, carrying placards and banners seeking Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation over alleged irregularities in national entrance examinations. As Azad was about to begin his address, news of the resignation reached the stage. The announcement was greeted with loud cheers as protesters celebrated by distributing chocolates and sweets, raising sloga...