The Archbishop of Calcutta, Rev. Thomas D’Souza, said on Friday evening that any type of hatred or polarisation should disappear in the atmosphere of peace, love, respect and joy that Christmas represents.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Calcutta Christmas Festival at Allen Park in Park Street, where chief minister Mamata Banerjee was present, he said: “The beautifully lit Park Street and other areas of the city and also other districts of our state of West Bengal are an expression of this light, namely, Jesus Christ, who came to drive away the darkness of ignorance, the darkness of sin and selfishness and the darkness of hatred.”

He added: “Christmas is a festival of peace. The first announcement by the angels of the shepherds was ‘Glory to the God in the highest and peace to all people of goodwill’. May this divine peace dwell in the hearts of all of us. May any type of division, selfishness, hatred or polarisation disappear in an atmosphere of peace, love and respect and joy.”