John Dayal
| John Dayal | |
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| Secretary-General All India Christian Council |
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Assumed office 1998 |
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| Vice-President, All India Catholic Union | |
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In office 2000–2004 |
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| President, All India Catholic Union | |
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In office 2004–2008 |
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| Preceded by | Maria Emilia Menezes |
| Succeeded by | Remy Denis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
2 October 1948 New Delhi, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Journalist |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Website | johndayal |
John Dayal (born 2 October 1948) is an Indian Christian political activist who seeks to protect the rights of Christians. He is a member of the National Integration Council (NIC) of India, Secretary-General of the All India Christian Council and a past president of the All India Catholic Union. He has been outspoken in opposition to political Hindu nationalism, in defence of church property and in support of Christian churches that have aligned themselves with the Dalit communities. His activist approach has drawn criticism.
John Dayal was born in New Delhi on 2 October 1948 of Christian parents from South India. He studied Physics at St. Stephen's College, Delhi before deciding to become a journalist. He served as War Correspondent or Foreign Correspondent in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and Europe. He became editor and CEO of the Delhi Mid Day, a small afternoon newspaper, and treasurer of the Editors' Guild of India. In June 1998 Dayal was one of the signatories of a statement by a group of journalists calling on India to return to the global nuclear disarmament agenda. He continues to provide commentary and analysis in print and on national TV and Radio. Dayal has headed the governing boards of several colleges of Delhi University, and has taught as a visiting teacher at several universities in north India.
John Dayal became a Christian activist in the early 1970s. In this role he has worked on such issues as displacement of tribal people, special quotas in jobs and college admissions for Christians, opposition to nuclear weapons, forced disappearances and impunity. During more than forty years he has investigated a great many cases of human rights abuse aimed at minority groups such as Dalits, Muslims and Christians but many of his claims have not been based in fact. His influence now extends far beyond India.
Dayal was one of the founders of the ecumenical All India Christian Council (AICC) and the United Christian Forum for Human Rights. Dayal was National Secretary for Public affairs of the All India Catholic Union (AICU) during the presidency of Norbert D'Souza (1996–2000). In 2000 he was elected vice-president of the AICU and on 20 September 2004 he was elected AICU president, succeeding Dr Maria Emelia Menezes. He held that position until 2008 when he was succeeded by Dr. Remy Denis. In March 2005 Dayal was a member of a delegation led by Vincent Conçessao that presented a memorandum on minorities to the prime minister. The delegation was assured that the government would issue a White Paper on minority communities.
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