Kolar, Oct 1: Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Friday said his party is opposed to forcible religious conversion.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka assembly, however, said those wanting to undergo religious conversion voluntarily should not be stopped.

"If anyone is involved in forcible religious conversion, we are also opposed to it. Religious conversion should not be done forcefully, we are opposed to it," Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "No one can stop if anyone wants to go for religious conversion voluntarily and they should not be stopped."

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday had said the government is seriously considering bringing in a law against religious conversion either by force or through inducement in the state.

State Home Minister Araga Jnanendra too last week told the legislative assembly that the government was mulling enacting a law to regulate religious conversion, as a ruling BJP MLA from Hosadurga Goolihatti Shekhar said his own mother has converted to Christianity falling prey to inducement.

BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh already have laws to prevent forcible religious conversion.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently in an interview to India Today said that “the media today was not what it used to be”, and also said as to why he has been selective in attending interviews. During an exclusive conversation with India Today, PM Modi said that his reduced participation in media interviews is a conscious decision aimed at prioritizing direct engagement with grassroots issues over media appearances.

"I have to work hard. I want to go to poor people's homes. I can also cut ribbons and get my photo taken in Vigyan Bhawan. I don't do that. I go to a small district of Jharkhand and work towards a small scheme," PM Modi said.

He said he brought a new work culture, adding, "If that culture feels right, then the media should present it correctly; if not, then they shouldn't."

PM Modi further stated that the media was no longer a separate entity today. "Earlier, I used to talk to Aaj Tak, but now the viewers know who I am talking to (referring to anchors). The media is no longer a separate entity today. Like many others, you (the anchors) have also made your views known to people," the Prime Minister said.

Seconds later, he said in jest, "If maximum people watch me in this election, they will watch me on Aaj Tak."

Pointing out that earlier media were the only source of communication, but now new mediums of communication are available PM Modi said, “Today, if you want to talk to the public, communication is two-way. Today, the public can also make their voice known without the media. Even a person who has to answer can express his views well without the media.”