The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government led by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has rolled out a ₹50,000 subsidy scheme exclusively for Ulemas (Islamic religious scholars and mosque functionaries) to purchase two-wheelers
District collectors across Tamil Nadu, including in Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Theni, and Tiruvarur, have issued official notices inviting applications from eligible Ulemas.
The scheme, which falls under the Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, and Minorities Welfare Department, offers up to ₹50,000 or 50% of the cost of a new two-wheeler, whichever is lower.The beneficiaries are registered members of the Tamil Nadu Ulama and Employees Welfare Board — mainly Pesh Imams, Arabic teachers, and other staff serving in mosques and Waqf institutions. The subsidy amount was doubled from ₹25,000 to ₹50,000 earlier this year.
BJP leaders have sharply criticised the move, calling it “blatant religious appeasement” funded by taxpayers’ money. Dr. SG Suryah, BJP Tamil Nadu Youth Wing President, questioned why a similar targeted welfare scheme is not being extended to religious functionaries of other communities.
“This is not welfare. This is selective appeasement using public funds,” Suryah said.
“When the Minister for Minorities Welfare, Thiru.Shajahan, took charge as minister, an Arabic prayer was openly recited in the State Secretariat. The self-proclaimed ‘secularists’ maintained a convenient silence then. Why are they even silent now? Is a truly secular government supposed to fund religious functionaries of a specific community? This is not governance or welfare, it is naked minority appeasement. The ‘Secular’ mask of this government has completely fallen off.“, Dr. Suryah added.
Tamil Nadu government’s decision to offer a ₹50,000 subsidy for two-wheelers exclusively to Ulemas is a shocking diversion of public funds on religious lines. I strongly condemn this blatant misuse of taxpayers’ money for religious appeasement. This is a direct assault on the… pic.twitter.com/eIdTkd3igL
— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) May 31, 2026
Several opposition voices have echoed the charge that the TVK government, despite its “new politics” campaign promises, is continuing the previous DMK regime’s policy of minority-focused doles.
Around 15,000 Ulemas are reportedly registered under the welfare board. Applicants are required to submit proof of registration, Aadhaar, and other documents to their respective district Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare offices.
This is the latest in a series of welfare announcements by the Vijay-led coalition government, which includes support from Congress, IUML, VCK, and Left parties.
A Mirror Image Of DMK’s Minority Appeasement
Much like the DMK, Vijay seems to engage in minority appeasement, closely following the ruling party’s well-established tactics. From the moment he launched his party, TVK, his actions have subtly but unmistakably mirrored the DMK’s approach.
The Tilak Gimmick And Its Sudden Disappearance
Before his first official press conference, Vijay orchestrated a carefully crafted public appearance—a ‘meet and greet’ event where a woman applied a tilak on his forehead. This move was seemingly designed to project an image of religious inclusivity, subtly hinting that he embraced all faiths. Initially, his party letterhead even featured an image of him with the tilak. However, as time passed, all such Hindu symbolism vanished. His official portrait on the TVK letterhead was later replaced with a plain, tilak-free version of Vijay. This follows the DMK’s long-standing strategy of erasing Hindu identity from Tamil saints and historical figures, portraying them in neutral white robes while openly celebrating other religious symbols, such as the cross for Christianity or the kulla (skullcap) for Islam. This selective approach fosters minority appeasement while alienating the Hindu majority.
Muslim Appeasement: A Page From The DMK Playbook
Another notable pattern in Vijay’s political journey is his strategic milking on Muslim representation. Whether on stage at political events or during award functions, he consistently ensures the presence of burqa-clad Muslim women near him, reinforcing a visual appeal to the Muslim community. This tactic aligns with the DMK’s longstanding approach of courting the Muslim vote bank through targeted outreach.
Vijay further demonstrated this alignment when he actively participated in an Iftar event during Ramadan, donning a kulla, a white shirt, and a veshti—an unmistakable visual gesture of solidarity with the Muslim community. This move is a direct reflection of the DMK’s history of religious posturing to secure minority votes.
Here are some sample of the DMK’s signature approach to minority appeasement, particularly towards the Muslim community.
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