Here are the most common questions that we are asked. Please read carefully before you Contact Us!

What is the aicc?

The All India Christian Council (aicc) is a coalition leading the fight for religious freedom for all and the emancipation of Dalits. We exist to protect and serve the interests of the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. Together with leading Dalit-Bahujan groups and other faith communities, we stand for secularism in India. We were born in 1998 as the Christian community in India reeled under fundamentalist violence and apathy by officials, and we were officially registered with the Indian government in 1999.

Who is the aicc?

Today, this proactive, ecumenical alliance consists of thousands of Christian groups, denominations, Christian NGOs, and mission agencies. It also includes hundreds of key lay leaders of the Church throughout India. We are a non-denominational federal organisation which reaches out to large urban churches as much as individual pastors working deep in the countryside throughout India.

Why is aicc unique from the other Indian networks of Christian organizations?

We are genuinely ecumenical and membership requires only belief that Christ is unique and the Bible is God’s Word (see our Backgrounder). Second, we are proactive and have programs and initiatives throughout the year which address future challenges, not just reactions to violence or attacks. Finally, we are inclusive and advocate for a non-sectarian, secular India. We participate in larger civil society issues and don’t merely defend Christians’ freedom of faith. Our dialogue and network with major leaders of other religions is essential and special.

What does the aicc actually do?

The Council monitors, documents, advocates and intervenes with the government of India, the national justice system, civil society organizations, and human rights groups. We are proactive, not merely reactive. We have a vibrant relationship with global human rights organizations involved with international advocacy for Dalit human rights and freedom of faith in South Asia. The Council’s national and international network has conducted disaster relief during several natural calamities.

Who leads the aicc on a national level?

President: Dr. Joseph D’souza

Vice-President: Rev. Dr. G. Samuel (also serves as aicc Chairman, A.P.)

Secretary General: Dr. John Dayal

The Council also has State Bodies in more than a dozen states. State leaders are drawn from all major church denominations.

Will you give me or my organisation money?

We are almost entirely financed by donations from our members. We have a very small operational budget and our staff are mostly volunteers. Our strengths are advocacy combined with grassroots campaigns, not financial assistance. Because of this, we rarely fund proposals. We never respond to uninvited requests for money. We recommend you to approach other NGOs who fund Dalit or freedom of faith projects.

Will you place an advertisement in my organisation’s Souvenir publication for our anniversary?

Although we do not place advertisements on a regular basis due to budgetary constaints, please Contact Us.

Do you proselytize, convert people, and send Christian missionaries?

We actively oppose forced and fraudulent conversions of any person to any religion. We do not send missionaries. We only support the right of Christians to practice and propagate their religion as defined in India’s Constitution.