Fatwa Issued Against Actor Vijay for Inviting 'Alcoholics' to Iftar Party: Muslim Cleric Alleges Defamation

Tamil actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Thalapathy Vijay has found himself at the center of a significant controversy after a fatwa was issued against him by a prominent Muslim cleric. The move came following accusations that Vijay invited individuals deemed as “anti-social elements,” including alcoholics and gamblers, to an Iftar gathering organized by his political party.

The fatwa was announced by Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat and Chief Mufti of Chashme Shariat Darul Ifta, based in Uttar Pradesh. During a media interaction, Maulana Razvi criticized Vijay’s political maneuvering and accused the actor-turned-politician of attempting to exploit Muslim sentiments to advance his political career.

“Thalapathy Vijay, a well-known actor from Tamil Nadu, has recently launched a political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. His entry into politics appears to be driven by opportunistic motives, particularly an attempt to win over the Muslim community,” said Maulana Razvi.

The cleric alleged that Vijay, during his film career, repeatedly portrayed Muslims in a negative light. “In several of his movies, he has shown Muslims as terrorists and sought to link the community with extremism. These portrayals have deeply hurt Muslim sentiments. And now, after building a career on such depictions, he is trying to win over the same community by hosting religious events.”

The controversy erupted after Vijay hosted an Iftar party, a sacred event during the holy month of Ramadan, which the cleric claims included individuals who were not only non-fasting but also known for indulging in alcohol and gambling.

“He invited people who have no connection with Islamic practices — drunkards, gamblers, and other undesirable elements. Such actions are not only disrespectful but also an insult to the sanctity of Iftar,” Maulana Razvi said.

The cleric went on to show a physical copy of the fatwa issued against Vijay, calling it a religious advisory for Muslims in Tamil Nadu. “We strongly advise the Muslim community to refrain from any association with Vijay. Do not greet him, do not attend his events, and do not place your trust in him,” he urged.

Maulana Razvi emphasized that Muslims in Tamil Nadu should be cautious and not be swayed by public gestures made for political gain. “The community must act wisely and recognize that these acts of religious outreach are not genuine, but politically motivated,” he added.

This development follows previous backlash against the actor for the portrayal of Muslims in his film Beast, which drew criticism for allegedly stereotyping Muslims as extremists. Now, with his political ambitions coming to the fore, religious leaders are questioning the sincerity of his efforts to engage with the Muslim community.

The fatwa has sparked intense debate on social media and within political circles, raising questions about the role of religion in politics, the limits of political image-building, and the impact of past artistic work on a public figure’s political credibility.