Fatwa Issued Against TVK Chief Vijay for Alleged Anti-Muslim Portrayal and Iftar Controversy; Supreme Court Hears Petition on Waqf Act

Bareilly/Chennai – In a significant development stirring political and religious conversations across the country, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, has issued a fatwa against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and popular Tamil actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, commonly known as Vijay. The religious edict accuses him of misrepresenting the Muslim community in his films and disrespecting Islamic traditions during a recent Iftar event.

TVK leader Vijay at the Iftar event in Chennai, now under scrutiny from Muslim clerics.

Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Maulana Razvi condemned the TVK chief for allegedly inviting individuals known for gambling and alcohol consumption to an Iftar party hosted in March. He also criticized Vijay’s filmography, asserting that the actor has depicted Muslims in a negative light, particularly as perpetrators of terrorism, which he described as unacceptable and deeply offensive to the sentiments of the Muslim community.

"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," Razvi said.

🔥 Sunni Muslim Discontent Fuels Religious Backlash

The issuance of the fatwa comes amid growing discontent among sections of Sunni Muslims in Tamil Nadu, who reportedly approached Maulana Razvi seeking a formal religious response to the controversy. According to the cleric, their concern centered around what they described as insulting and inappropriate conduct during a sacred religious event.

“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," the Maulana added.

The statement has sparked a wider debate about the intersection of cinema, politics, and religious sensitivity, especially as Vijay continues to consolidate his political presence through the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, a regional party he founded with aspirations of social justice and inclusive governance.

📜 Vijay’s Legal Challenge to Waqf Act Amid Fatwa Controversy

Coinciding with the fatwa announcement, TVK President Vijay recently moved the Supreme Court, challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. His petition questions the constitutional validity of the amended legislation, which has been met with criticism from various quarters for allegedly centralizing religious administrative control and enabling arbitrary property disputes.

On Wednesday, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices P.V. Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan, began hearing a batch of petitions contesting key provisions of the Act. The court acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue and hinted at passing an interim order that would suspend certain controversial sections of the legislation.

“The one thing that is very disturbing is the violence that is taking place. The issue is before the court, and we will decide,” said Chief Justice Khanna, referring to unrest reported in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district linked to the Waqf issue.

Although no interim order was passed during the session, the bench discussed possible provisions for temporary relief, including:

• Suspending de-notification of properties declared as Waqf by courts.

• Allowing Collectors to continue proceedings on disputes, but without enforcing new provisos.

• Ensuring that members of Waqf Boards and Central Waqf Council (except ex officio roles) are Muslims, preserving religious integrity.

Before the court could issue a written directive, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, requested the bench to allow more time for arguments from parties supporting the Act.

⚖️ A Complex Political Landscape for Vijay

The dual developments—one judicial and the other religious—present a complex political landscape for TVK chief Vijay, who is already preparing for a deeper role in Tamil Nadu's politics ahead of upcoming elections.

While his legal activism against the Waqf (Amendment) Act may align him with sections of the Muslim community opposing centralization of religious matters, the fatwa and its implications could erode the support he has cultivated through symbolic gestures like hosting Iftar and wearing a skull cap at community events.

The TVK party, which positions itself as a progressive and secular alternative in Tamil Nadu politics, now faces a challenge in addressing this religious criticism without alienating either its core voter base or the state’s significant Muslim population.

🔍 What’s Next?

With the Supreme Court likely to revisit the Waqf petition soon and political temperature rising over religious sensitivities, all eyes will be on how Vijay and the TVK leadership respond to the fatwa and the growing criticism. Whether this controversy becomes a hurdle or an opportunity for recalibration remains to be seen.