A viral audio clip circulating on social media has triggered serious concerns over alleged extremist influence and an internal religious dispute at the Bachewali Mosque and Dargah in Mylapore, Chennai. In the clip, a caller claiming to be associated with the shrine alleged that an individual with ISIS sympathies had assumed the role of caretaker, despite repeated complaints to authorities over nearly three years. The caller also raised alarm over growing tensions within the local Muslim community regarding the continuation of the traditional Urs festival at the centuries-old Sufi shrine, with some opposing the celebrations as un-Islamic, while others insist the event has been observed for generations with the permission of the Waqf Board.
In the conversation, the caller introduced himself as speaking from the Bachewali Dargah (apparently to an officer) and stated that complaints about the issue had been submitted repeatedly for nearly three years without any meaningful response from authorities. The caller claims that an “ISIS supporter” had assumed the role of caretaker at the mosque, raising security concerns among those associated with the place of worship.
The caller demanded that the official on the other end initiate action without delay, adding that the situation was “crossing beyond all limits”. He warned that matters at the site were escalating, asking whether any official programme or intervention had been scheduled to address the issue and wanted an update on action taken from authorities.
"ISIS பிடியில் சென்னை தர்கா? பரபரப்பான ஆடியோ"🚨
Immediate action is needed. @AmitShah @HMOIndia @NIA_India @DelhiPolice pic.twitter.com/dIyTXJGWrc
— MR.Anil (@Saffron_Anil_) March 7, 2026
The person on the other end said he understood the concern, assuring that the matter would be checked immediately. He said that the situation at the location could potentially escalate and assured the caller that he would speak with the relevant authorities and provide an update.
However, the official also stated that the police could intervene only to a certain extent, explaining that the final decision regarding administrative control rested with the Waqf Board. The official assured that he would inform the concerned officials and speak to the officer in charge.
Meanwhile, in a communication (accessed by the Organiser team) addressed to the Inspector of the Waqf Board, in their oral deposition, M Amanullah and MS Ghouse Bhasha said that Hasrat Syed Ahmedullah Shah Quadri, a Sufi personal, was buried 500 years ago in this place. He was revered by Hindus and Muslims. Over the past 450 years, a large number of them have been attending the Urs and sandal paste celebrations held annually. It was stopped because some opposed it, saying it was against Islam. The committee took that decision 23 years ago. “But I have been organising Urs celebrations with the permission of the Waqf Board.”
They said, “The dargah property was leased in 2018 to an international terrorist Dr Bilal Philips-run PERF outfit. It was given by Dr Jhilani and other office-bearers of the committee. We recovered the property after a long legal battle. Women who come to the dargah faced inconvenience and issues. The Chief Managing Official found this shortcoming during an inspection. Following this, a separate restroom was built exclusively for women. I was allowed to do this under 32(1) of the Act. But Dr Jhilani Naina Mohamad-led expired committee challenged the Chief Managing Officer’s permission to me in the High Court in the form of a writ. The court informed that their term had expired and they could not challenge the permission given to me.”
Continuing their oral submission to the authority, they said during yesterday’s appearance that the term of office of the committee comprising Naina Mohammad, Zhagir, Saleem and Haroon had expired five years ago, which they candidly accepted. That being so, how could he have the power to give approval to lease the property to Jhankir? His wife conducts Wahhabi dharbia (not clear) (a strictly orthodox Sunni Muslim movement that advocates a return to the early Islam of the Quran and Sunna). Her classes teach that “Wahhabi ideology fundamentally opposes the concept of ‘dargahs’ (Sufi shrines/tombs) and considers the veneration, decoration or pilgrimage to them as shirk (idolatry)”. It also supports demolishing dargahs, banning non-Muslims from visiting them, and following hardcore principles.
“We made a complaint in 2024–25. Following our complaint to the police, the name was removed. But the same classes are being taught in the name of madrasa. Tailoring classes are also being conducted. Haroon was the brother of Iqbal, who was arrested by Rajasthan ATS. Saleem too has progressed. Iqbal was following their commands. Zahir also does not believe in Sufi sect tenets. They say dargahs are non-Islamic in nature. The expired committee members said before the police that they were not terrorists but Sufi sect followers. It is to cheat the government. They have been doing this drama for a long time.”
“We have been conducting Urs at the Bachewali Mosque in Mylapore for over 23 years, as they say Sufi Urs is against Islamic tenets. We urge the Waqf Board to reject the demand of the expired team led by Dr Jhilani, Zahir, Haroon and Saleem requesting to conduct Urs like us. We appeal to you to allow us to continue celebrating Urs as we have been doing in the past.”
These are the oral submissions of M Amanullah and MS Ghouse Bhasha before the Waqf Board. It is not clear what action the Board has to take. The matter was taken up on 5 February this year.
This conversation indicates serious trouble brewing over rituals and practices among Muslims, the influence of radical Islamic ideology penetrating the mosque, and sectarian divisions between Sufis and Sunnis, along with the rejection of rituals traditionally followed by Indian Muslims.
