Sam Pitroda claims someone 'hacked, played porn' during address at 'IIT Ranchi'; Centre says institution doesn't even exist

Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda

The ministry of education has fact-checked a recent claim by Congress leader Sam Pitroda that an event he was addressing at "IIT Ranchi" was disrupted by hackers who played pornographic content.

The ministry clarified that IIT Ranchi does not even exist and termed Pitroda’s remarks as "baseless" and an attempt to malign the reputation of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

Pitroda had earlier shared a video on his social media handle, claiming that he was speaking at the IIT Ranchi to "several hundred students" when the alleged hacking incident took place. He further linked the disruption to a lack of democracy in the country.

"Recently, I was speaking at Ranchi IIT—to almost 100 students. Suddenly, someone hacked in and started showing pornographic content, and we had no choice but to turn it off. Now, is that democracy? Is that fair?" Pitroda claimed.

However, the ministry pointed out that Ranchi does not have an IIT, though it does have an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT). "IIIT Ranchi has also confirmed that Shri Sam Pitroda has not been invited by the Institute to any conference/seminar to deliver a lecture, physically or virtually," the Ministry said in a statement.

Clarification on the recent remarks made by Shri Sam Pitroda in his webcastIt has come to the notice that Shri Sam Pitroda shared a video on his X handle on 22nd Feb 2025. He made a statement in that video that he was speaking at the IIT Ranchi to several hundred students,

Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) February 26, 2025

Calling Pitroda’s remarks "reckless," the ministry accused him of attempting to tarnish the image of IITs. "This institution has stood the test of time and produced some of the brightest minds in the country. Unlike such an uninformed person, IITs' reputation is built on the merit, hard work, and achievement of many students, teachers, and academia," the statement added.

The government further warned of legal repercussions against any attempts to defame premier institutions. "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."

Pitroda’s remarks have also sparked debate, with many questioning the connection between the alleged incident and democracy.