In an open letter to Vijay Rupani, Patel said that it was "duty of one and all to ensure the honour of Rajput community"
Amid violent protests in Gujarat demanding ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama Padmaavat's release this Thursday, Patidar quota leader Hardik Patel and newly elected Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor on Tuesday wrote a letter to the Chief Minister asking to stay the film's release.
In an open letter to Vijay Rupani, Patel said that it was "duty of one and all to ensure the honour of Rajput community", reportedThe Indian Express.
"If Padmaavat is released in Gujarat, the responsibility of the consequences and law and order will rest upon the government."
He said that the BJP government in the state will be responsible for the "consequences" and hence, the film should not be released in Gujarat under any circumstances.
Congress legislator Thakor too joined the chorus, saying "an attempt is being made to tarnish the glorious history of the Kshatriya samaj through the film."
"We are completely against it. The Chief Minister had banned the release of Padmaavat, then why is the state police offering protection to theatres wanting to showcase it. The coordination between the state government and the police administration raises a big question," he was quoted as saying by the paper.
Despite Supreme Court's order quashing pleas to ban the film due to 'law and order' situation, most of the theatre owners in Gujarat had voluntarily decided not to screen the film.
"Maintaining law and order is not our job. That is the job of the state. Prayer rejected," the bench had said.
The deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel had supported the theatre-owners decision."The government is trying its best to maintain law and order," he had said. BJP state president Jitu Vaghani too lauded their decision to not screen Padmaavat. "The cinema owners are supporting the government and are aligning with the feelings of the people," Vaghani said.
The movie, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh in lead roles, is based on the saga of historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi.