Abhijeet Dipke stood at New Delhi’s main protest site on a Saturday, eagerly checking his phone for a confirmation. For over two months, Dipke led a protest movement demanding the resignation of India’s education minister. On this day, his efforts bore fruit.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Dipke dropped to his knees and pounded the makeshift stage. He quickly stood up, grabbed a microphone, and announced the news to a massive gathering of protesters.

“Long live student power,”

Dipke shouted, energizing the crowd. The audience responded with loud applause, cheers, and group hugs. At 30, Dipke had already established a large following, creating a platform for India’s youth to express their grievances, and now he was celebrated as a folk hero.

His defiance against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration resulted in a significant triumph.

Video footage captured the reaction to the education minister’s resignation. Leaders of the protest rejoiced as Dipke, who had amassed a huge following since his return to India, became a symbol of student empowerment.

Just two months before, Dipke was known only as an international student from India, holding a master’s degree in public relations from Boston University. Between job applications and PlayStation FIFA games, Dipke engaged in workouts, he shared during an interview on Saturday at the protest site.