‘There is no IIT in Ranchi’: Centre counters Sam Pitroda’s hacking claim | India News

Chairperson of the Indian Overseas Congress, Sam Pitroda (Pic credit score: PTI)

NEW DELHI: The ministry of schooling has strongly refuted claims made by Indian Overseas Congress president Sam Pitroda relating to an alleged hacking incident throughout his digital interplay with college students at “IIT Ranchi.”
In a webcast on X, Pitroda claimed that whereas addressing “several hundred students” at “IIT Ranchi,” the session was disrupted when hackers started enjoying “pornographic content.” He questioned whether or not such interference was acceptable in a democracy.

The ministry dismissed his assertion as “baseless” and clarified that no such establishment exists in Ranchi.
Responding to his remarks, the ministry of schooling issued a agency clarification. “It has come to the notice that Shri Sam Pitroda shared a video on his X handle on 22nd February 2025, claiming he was speaking at IIT Ranchi when the event was disrupted due to hacking. It is hereby clarified that there is no IIT in Ranchi. Therefore, the statement made in that video is not only baseless but also reeks of ignorance.”

The ministry acknowledged that Ranchi is house to an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), however stated that Pitroda had not been invited to any occasion by the institute. “IIIT Ranchi has confirmed that Shri Sam Pitroda has not been invited by the institute to any conference or seminar, physically or virtually.”
The assertion additional criticised Pitroda’s remarks, accusing him of making an attempt to tarnish the status of the distinguished IIT system. “Such a reckless statement seems to be an attempt to malign the image of an extremely reputed institution of the country, i.e., the Indian Institute of Technology. This institution has stood the test of time and produced some of the brightest minds in the country. Unlike such an uninformed person, IIT’s reputation is built on the merit, hard work, and achievement of many students, teachers, and academia.”
Condemning Pitroda’s assertion, the ministry additionally warned of authorized penalties for any makes an attempt to wreck the picture of India’s prime academic establishments. “The Ministry of Education condemns the statement and reiterates that any such attempt to malign the image of the premier institution will face legal repercussions.”