Use social media with caution: Rajnath

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday asked security personnel to be cautious about forwarding unverified social media content, warning it could create trouble in the country.

Addressing the BSF investiture ceremony here, Singh said social media has become a tool to spread rumours.

Noting that the “enemy” is spreading “rumours and false information” using social media tools like Facebook and WhatsApp, the minister said officers and other personnel should not forward messages or posts that are not authentic and not in the interest of the nation.

“It is seen that the personnel and officers put up and forward information or videos on their Facebook page or WhatsApp (that can pose threats to security). You should not forward such things unless it is authentic and in the interest of the country, as you not only protect our borders, but also the country’s unity and integrity,” he said.

Describing BSF as India’s first wall of defence, Singh said the force has come out of the shadows of the army and registered its independent identity at the borders.

Rajnath said infiltration by militants from Pakistan has come down to a large extent after the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes on terror hubs across the LoC in September last year.