In a significant development on April 17, 2025, a fatwa was issued against Tamil actor-turned-politician Vijay, the president of the Tamil Nadu Vijay Karthik (TVK) party. The fatwa, issued by Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, follows allegations that Vijay’s films have portrayed Muslims negatively and that he invited individuals involved in gambling and alcohol consumption to his Iftar party. This has sparked widespread anger among Sunni Muslims in Tamil Nadu.

Maulana Razvi, in his statement, emphasized that while Vijay has cultivated friendly relations with the Muslim community, his portrayal of Muslims in his movies, particularly as individuals promoting terrorism, has led to significant discontent. The invitation of gamblers and alcohol consumers to his Iftar gathering further inflamed tensions within the Muslim community, leading to the fatwa advising Muslims not to support or align with Vijay.

“He (Vijay) has formed a political party and maintained cordial relations with Muslims. However, he has portrayed Muslims in a negative way as those who spread terrorism in his films. Gamblers and liquor consumers were invited to his Iftar party. Due to all this, Sunni Muslims of Tamil Nadu are angry with him. They asked for a fatwa. So, in my answer, I have issued a fatwa mentioning that Muslims should not stand with Vijay,” Maulana Razvi Bareilvi said in his statement.

The fatwa has ignited further controversy, adding fuel to a month-old political feud where rivals of Vijay’s TVK party accused it of seeking Y-security from the Centre, allegedly due to threats from Muslims. This claim regarding the security request for Vijay has sparked even more divisiveness, both within the Tamil Nadu political sphere and among the Muslim community, which views these actions as a growing political struggle.

In addition to the fatwa controversy, Vijay is also at the center of a legal battle regarding the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. This law, which pertains to the management and administration of waqf properties in India, has led Vijay to challenge its Constitutionality before the Supreme Court. On April 16, 2025, the Supreme Court heard petitions regarding the Waqf Act and indicated it could issue an interim order to stay some provisions of the law. Vijay has taken this legal step as part of his ongoing efforts to assert his political influence in the state, despite the mounting controversies surrounding his persona and political party.

This series of events marks a significant period for Vijay, as he faces growing opposition from rival political factions, religious leaders, and legal challenges. The fallout from the fatwa and the ongoing legal proceedings will likely continue to shape Vijay’s political future and his relationship with Tamil Nadu’s Muslim community.

The timing of these controversies, especially the fatwa and the accusations regarding his portrayal of Muslims, has escalated tensions, with many questioning the political motivations behind these developments. As these events unfold, Vijay’s political career is expected to come under even more scrutiny, particularly in light of the ongoing Waqf Act case and the critical stance taken by various Muslim organizations and political opponents.

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