John Dayal, (New Delhi, Oct. 2, 1948 - ) is an Indian Christian activist and self-proclaimed "Dalit rights" activist. Formerly a journalist with the Delhi edition of the Indian tabloid newspaper, the Mid-Day, he has gone on to found and preside over the ecumenical All India Christian Council and United Christian Forum for Human Rights. Dayal, born of Christian parents from Central India, is married and resides normally in New Delhi. He describes himself as a "human rights activist" who is "fighting for the rights of Muslim, Christian and Dalit minorities" in India. He is associated with numerous Christian evangelical groups, such as Dalit Freedom Network[1].
Contents |
Dayal has investigated individual cases of human rights abuse, as well as struggling against "structural" human rights abuse aimed at whole groups (such as Dalits, Muslims and Christians), and fighting organised human rights abuse - for example in Vadodara and in Orissa.
John Dayal is Member, National Integration Council, Government of India. He is currently Secretary General, All India Christian Council, founded 1999, and a Past national President of the All India catholic Union, founded Ninety years ago in 1919.
Dayal has attacked anti-Conversion bills passed in various states in India.[1]
Dayal has been described by Francois Gautier as a radical fanatic.[2] P.N Benjamin, the coordinator of the Bangalore Initiative for Religious Dialogue, said that Dayal "opens his mouth and wields his pen only to spew venom on the Hindu community".[3] Dayal was very popular among some anti-Hindu elements, such as the (now defunct) website Dalitstan, where his works were frequently showcased.[4] Rediff columnist Varsha Bhosle criticizes Dayal for having subversive separatist views and misrepresenting the Catholic Church in India.[5]