Ministry of Education Refutes Sam Pitroda’s Claims on ‘IIT Ranchi’ Event, Warns of Legal Action

In a video shared on his social media handle on X on February 22, 2025, Pitroda alleged that while addressing students of “IIT Ranchi,” the event was hacked and disrupted with objectionable content

The Ministry of Education has strongly refuted Congress leader Sam Pitroda’s claim that an online event with students at “IIT Ranchi” was disrupted by hackers broadcasting obscene content. Issuing an official clarification, the Ministry stated that no such institution exists and condemned the remarks as baseless and misleading.

In a video shared on his social media handle on X on February 22, 2025, Pitroda alleged that while addressing students of “IIT Ranchi,” the event was hacked and disrupted with objectionable content, forcing organizers to stop the session. However, the Ministry pointed out that Ranchi does not have an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Instead, it hosts an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), which has denied any such event involving Pitroda.

Ministry’s Clarification

The Ministry stated, “It 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, and someone hacked in and started playing some objectionable content, and thus, the event got disrupted.”

Clarifying the falsehood in Pitroda’s claims, the Ministry categorically stated: “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. It is pertinent to state that there is an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Ranchi. But IIIT Ranchi has also confirmed that Sam Pitroda has not been invited by the institute to any conference/seminar to deliver a lecture, physically or virtually.”

The Ministry further criticized the statement, calling it an attempt to tarnish the image of IITs: “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, IITs’ reputation is built on the merit, hard work, and achievements of many students, teachers, and academia.”

Concluding its statement, the Ministry warned of potential legal action: “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.”

IIIT Ranchi Denies Any Event with Pitroda

In addition to the Ministry’s response, Rupesh Kumar Verma, Public Grievance Officer of IIIT Ranchi, also refuted Pitroda’s claims. He confirmed that no such session took place at IIIT Ranchi and that the institute had not invited Pitroda to speak.