Thiruvananthapuram: Thinker and orator MP Abdussamad Samadani emphasised that pluralism and diversity form the foundation of all religions, during a lecture at the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL) 2026.

Speaking on the theme “The Music of Pluralism” at the Mathrubhumi Hall of Letters stage, Samadani said the Indian freedom struggle was, at its core, a movement advancing pluralism. “The foundation of every religion lies in accepting diversity,” he said.

He used vivid examples to illustrate his point. “Vegetables are made Hindu and goats Muslim. Even on the day Swami Vivekananda attained Samadhi, he ate fish from the Ganga at noon. Food is a matter of personal choice and has nothing to do with religion. None of this should be a matter for public scrutiny,” Samadani said.

He also cautioned against the misuse of history. “History in India today is being used as a tool to spread hatred. The present should not be judged in the name of the past. Isolated incidents should not define history. In times of hatred, it is our responsibility to build spaces of love,” he added. 

The lecture was part of the seventh edition of MBIFL 2026, which was inaugurated on Wednesday with the ceremonial hoisting of the festival flag at the historic Kanakakunnu Palace. The four-day literary festival runs from 29 January to 1 February, featuring talks, discussions and performances from prominent writers and thinkers.