Fatwa Issued Against Thalapathy Vijay: Accused of Insulting Islam Over Controversial Iftar Party

 

Fatwa Issued Against Thalapathy Vijay: Accused of Insulting Islam Over Controversial Iftar Party

Actor-turned-politician Thalapathy Vijay has become the center of a religious and political storm following an iftar party he hosted on March 7 in Chennai. The gathering, intended to mark the holy month of Ramadan, has provoked strong backlash from sections of the Muslim community, resulting in a fatwa being issued against the actor by a prominent Islamic cleric.

The fatwa was issued by Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilly, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat and Chief Mufti of Chashme Darul Ifta in Uttar Pradesh. He accused Vijay of insulting Islamic sentiments and alleged that his actions were politically motivated, especially in light of the actor’s recent foray into politics with the formation of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Allegations of Religious Insensitivity

According to Maulana Razvi, the iftar party hosted by Vijay included individuals who were gamblers and alcoholics, which he claimed was both “sinful and disrespectful” in an Islamic context. The cleric criticized the actor for what he perceived as an attempt to curry favor with the Muslim community despite a track record of portraying them negatively in his films.

“Vijay Thalapathy is trying to leverage Muslim sentiments to build his political career,” said Razvi. “In the film ‘Beast’, he associated Muslims with terrorism and depicted them in a villainous light. Now, he suddenly shows interest in iftar and Muslim customs. This hypocrisy cannot be overlooked.”

Razvi urged Muslims in Tamil Nadu to boycott the actor politically and socially, stating, “He should not be welcomed at religious gatherings or invited to community events.”

Complaint Filed in Tamil Nadu

Further fueling the controversy, the Tamil Nadu Sunnat Jamath filed a police complaint in Chennai on March 11, alleging that the event was disrespectfully organized. Held at YMCA grounds in Chennai, the iftar party saw Vijay donning a skull cap, participating in evening prayers (namaz), and sharing a meal to break the fast with attendees.

However, the Sunnat Jamath claimed that individuals who had no connection to Islam or fasting — including alleged drunkards and local troublemakers — were present at the event.

“Muslims were insulted by the poorly managed program,” said Syed Kous, the group’s treasurer. “Legal action must be taken to prevent such disrespect in the future. This is not about publicity, but about protecting religious dignity.”

Political Reactions and Silence from Vijay

This controversy adds to growing scrutiny around Vijay’s political moves. Earlier, reports surfaced that TVK had requested Y-category security for Vijay, fearing backlash from the Muslim community over his portrayal of them in films such as Kaththi and Beast. Political opponents, including representatives from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), claimed that the security request itself revealed a deeper mistrust between Vijay and the community he now seeks support from.

TVK and its ally, the Tamil Nadu Muslim League, have denied all allegations and suggested that the controversy is a political ploy orchestrated by DMK and its allies to alienate Muslim voters from TVK.

Vijay Yet to Respond

So far, Thalapathy Vijay has remained silent on the matter. While he is reportedly preparing to contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, no official statement has been released addressing the fatwa or the police complaint.

On the professional front, Vijay was last seen in the film The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT), directed by Venkat Prabhu, marking another milestone in his illustrious acting career.

As the situation continues to unfold, all eyes are on how the actor-politician navigates the growing religious and political tensions ahead of his electoral ambitions.