John Dayal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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 | |
| In office 2000–2004 |
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| President, All India Catholic Union | |
| 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 |
| Domestic partner | Married |
| Profession | Activist |
John Dayal (born 2 October 1948) is an Indian human rights activist. He works to protect the rights of people, especially those from minority groups. He is a member of the National Integration Council of India. He has also served as Secretary-General of the All India Christian Council. He was also a past president of the All India Catholic Union. John Dayal often speaks out against unfair treatment and hatred between different religious groups.
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Biography: John Dayal's Life Story
John Dayal was born in New Delhi, India, in 1948. His parents were Christians from South India. He first studied physics at St. Stephen's College, Delhi. Later, he decided to become a journalist.
Early Career in Journalism
As a journalist, John Dayal worked as a war correspondent. He also reported from many countries. These included places in the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Europe. He became the editor and CEO of a newspaper called Delhi Mid Day. He also served as the treasurer for the Editors' Guild of India. Even today, he shares his thoughts and analysis in newspapers, on TV, and on the radio.
Becoming a Human Rights Activist
John Dayal started working as an activist in the early 1970s. He focused on important issues like helping tribal people who were forced to leave their homes. He also spoke out against nuclear weapons. For over 40 years, he has looked into many cases where Christian minority groups faced unfair treatment.
Leadership in Christian Organizations
John Dayal helped start the All India Christian Council (AICC). This group works to bring different Christian churches together. He also helped create the United Christian Forum for Human Rights. He held important roles in the All India Catholic Union (AICU). He was elected vice-president in 2000. Later, in 2004, he became the president of the AICU. He served in this role until 2008.
In 2005, John Dayal was part of a group that met with the prime minister. They discussed issues faced by minority communities. The government promised to release a report on these communities.
Working on Fact-Finding Missions
John Dayal has been part of many groups that investigate problems. In 2007, he was on a team that looked into violence against Christians in Orissa. He reported that the police unfairly removed him from the area. In 2008, he received the Maanav Adhikaar Paaritaushik, also known as the Human Dignity Award. In 2010, he was again chosen to be a member of the National Integration Council. As of 2012, he was the Secretary-General of the All India Christian Council. John Dayal is married and has a son and a daughter.
John Dayal's Views on Important Issues
John Dayal has strong beliefs about fairness and religious harmony. He often speaks about protecting minority groups in India.
Promoting Religious Harmony
In 2002, the All India Christian Council, with John Dayal, asked governments to stop violence against Christians. They were concerned about groups spreading hatred. Dayal also worried that some schools were teaching young minds to dislike Christian minorities. He believes that people should respect each other's religions.
Protecting Minority Communities
John Dayal has often expressed concern when minority groups face violence. He has called on the government to protect Christians and other religious minorities. He believes it is important for all people to live without fear. He has highlighted that violence against any religious group goes against the idea of a fair society.
Views on Church Property
John Dayal believes that church properties should be protected by existing laws. He has argued that the laws already in place are enough to manage Christian properties. He thinks that the situation for Christians is different from other religions in India. In 2012, when some churches in Manipur were asked to leave their land, the All India Christian Council, led by Dayal, spoke up. They asked national and state groups to help protect these churches. He also asked India to help protect churches in other countries. He stressed that destroying churches goes against international agreements on religious freedom.
