We are moral descendants of queen Padmaavati: Rajasthan Minister

Ajmer (Rajasthan) [India] January 23 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers are the 'moral descendants' of queen Padmaavati.

Shekhawat said that the BJP believes in the same ideology as queen Padmaavati, who sacrificed her life to save nation's pride and honour.

Speaking at a press conference here yesterday, the Union Minister added that the saffron party is always determined to save country's cultural honour.

"We BJP workers are moral descendants of Rani Padmini. She sacrificed her life to save nation's pride and her honour and we also believe in the same ideology. We are always determined to save country's cultural honour," Shekhawat said.

He added that people should respect the verdict of the Supreme Court and the Indian judiciary but this issue not only falls under them as this is a matter of people's emotions and sentiments.

"I want to thank Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje for immediately taking a decision to file a review petition in this matter in the Supreme Court," Shekhawat stated.

The Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India (COAEI) has written a letter to the Home Ministry seeking security outside theatres screening Padmaavat.

The association has also advised theatres that they should show the film after ensuring proper security.

Several incidents of violent protests are being surfaced in different parts of the nation against the release of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum-opus.

In some states, including Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Haryana, the members of Karni Sena have resorted to burning posters and vandalising the ticket counter.

Earlier in the day, the top court refused to modify its earlier order on controversy-ridden Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus.

The top court last week set aside the notification passed by the states of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat to ban the release of Padmaavat.

The epic drama, based on 16th-century Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's epic poem 'Padmavat', is all set to hit the cinema halls on January 25. (ANI)