Patna, Jan 18 (IANS): Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde Saturday said the central government was planning to act against those misusing social media by uploading videos of communal clashes or anything that hurts others.

"The government is serious to take action against those found guilty of uploading video or footage of riots on social media to create communal troubles or other law and order troubles," Shinde said.

The minister, here to attend a function, said misuse of social media for vested interests is not good for the country.

"Misuse of social media to instigate riots and other law and order trouble is a serious issue and it is under consideration to initiate action against those responsible for it," he said.

Shinde said it was reported some people have uploaded objectionable video footage of shocking incidents on Facebook, YouTube and other social media medium that caused communal flare-ups.

He said the government was fully in favour of freedom of expression but would not allow misuse of the social media. "The government has to monitor and check it," he said.

Talking to mediapersons after the conclusion of the function, Shinde said there was no truth in the allegations levelled by former home secretary R.K. Singh against him. "Singh's statement was political in nature," he said.

Shinde also expressed grief over the death of 18 people in a stampede in Mumbai while they were paying their last respects to the spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community, Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin.