National Convener, United Christian Forum for Human Rights
National Spokesman, All India Christian Council
National Secretary, All India Catholic Union

John Dayal is internationally recognized as the face and voice of Christian Human Rights movement, not just in India but in South Asia. John Dayal's pioneering role in the formation of the United Christian Forum for Human Rights in India is now part of the history of Christian ecumenical endeavor. His work has grown  from the Forum to encompass the All India Christian Council, of which he is founding member.

John has been monitoring religious fundamentalist and state communalism for close to thirty years. Born 2nd October 1948 (he shares his birth date with that of the father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi) to South Indian parents, John studied Physics at the prestigious St. Stephens College, New Delhi, before deciding on a career in journalism. Monitoring closely the growth of violent Hindutva fundamentalist, it is alarmingly clear to John by the mid-Nineties that the next targets of violence would be Christians. His early warnings to the church and the government helped formulate a united Christian response.

John is active in his church, especially in the formation of laity, and in his profession, chairing several committees. Author, documentary filmmaker and newspaper editor, John is Editor and CEO of a small afternoon newspaper, the Delhi Mid Day. Treasurer of the Editors' Guild of India and a frequent public speaker and commentator on issues of human rights, civil liberties and peace. He has recently set up the Center for Policy Research and Communication, which he hopes will function as a distant early warning system against aberrant behavior by state and political groups. John says his work would not have been possible but for the support of his wife Mercy Mariamma, daughter Karuna (also a journalist) and son Jason D. John (studying history at his father's alma mater St. Stephen's College).