Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda claimed he was invited to speak via video link at IIT-Roorkee, where a hacker interrupted and streamed explicit content shortly after his speech. The Ministry of Education (MoE) refuted his assertions, clarifying that there is no IIT in Ranchi and that Pitroda was not invited to speak by any institute. The MoE criticized his statements as baseless and an attempt to malign the institution’s reputation. Pitroda emphasized the importance of cybersecurity in academic settings, stating that incidents like this highlight the need for digital safety and vigilance.
New Delhi:
Following the Ministry of Education’s (MoE) denial of his allegations, Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda stated on Thursday that he was invited to participate via video link in an event at IIT-Roorkee. He claimed that just moments after his presentation, a hacker gained access and began broadcasting explicit, unsuitable content.
Pitroda’s comments were made a day after the MoE dismissed his assertions during a webcast, where he stated that inappropriate material was shown during his virtual engagement with “IIT-Ranchi students.”
“To clarify, there is no IIT in Ranchi. Thus, the claim made in that video is not only unfounded but also shows a lack of understanding. Additionally, it is important to note that there is an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Ranchi, which has also confirmed that Sam Pitroda was not invited to any conference or seminar to give a lecture, either in person or online,” the ministry stated in a release late Wednesday.
On Thursday, Mr. Pitroda took to X to clarify: “I was invited to speak at IIT Roorkee @iitroorkee during the Cognizant event on February 1, 2025, via Zoom with students and faculty.” He added, “Unfortunately, mere minutes after my speech, a hacker breached the video link and began broadcasting explicit, inappropriate content. We promptly shut down the feed and concluded the event.”
Such incidents, particularly in educational settings designed for learning and advancement, are profoundly concerning, the Congress leader remarked.
He emphasized that cybersecurity is a vital issue, and the event serves as a serious reminder of the need for digital safety and vigilance.
The MoE stated on Wednesday that Pitroda claimed on February 22 that he was addressing a crowd of several hundred students at IIT-Ranchi when someone hacked in and started playing objectionable content, leading to the disruption of the event.
The MoE further advised that any attempts to tarnish the reputation of a prestigious institution will be subject to legal consequences.
“This kind of reckless statement appears to be an effort to damage the reputation of an esteemed institution in the country. This institution has withstood the test of time and trained some of the brightest minds in the nation.”
“In contrast to such an ill-informed individual, the IITs’ reputation is founded on the merit, diligence, and accomplishments of numerous students, educators, and scholars,” the ministry asserted.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)