Union Cabinet Approves Renaming Kerala to ‘Keralam’
Context:
Recently, the Union Cabinet of India approved a proposal to rename the southern state of Kerala as Keralam, setting in motion a constitutional process to alter the state’s official name. The move follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in June 2024 requesting the name change.
About Proposal:
The Cabinet approved the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, which, once returned with the President’s recommendation, will be referred to the Kerala Assembly for its views under the proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India. After this step, the Bill can be introduced in Parliament.
Constitutional Process to Change a State’s Name:
Article 3 of the Constitution:
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- State Resolution: The state legislature must first pass a resolution requesting the change.
- Presidential Recommendation: The President must recommend the Bill for Parliament.
- State Legislature’s Views: The Bill must be referred to the concerned state assembly for its views on the proposal, though the assembly’s opinion is not binding.
- Parliamentary Approval: The Bill must be passed by a simple majority in both Houses of Parliament.
- Presidential Assent: Once approved, the President signs the Bill, and the name is updated in the First and Fourth Schedules of the Constitution.
- State Resolution: The state legislature must first pass a resolution requesting the change.
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Historical Context of State Name Changes:
India has witnessed several state name changes reflecting linguistic, cultural, or historical identities:
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- Orissa to Odisha (2011): Both state and language names were amended.
- Uttaranchal to Uttarakhand (2007): Name revised to reflect local usage.
- These changes were carried out through constitutional amendments supported by state demands.
- Orissa to Odisha (2011): Both state and language names were amended.
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Significance of the Name Change:
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- Cultural and Linguistic Identity: Supporters argue that “Keralam” aligns more closely with the state’s Malayalam linguistic heritage and reflects its original historical name. The move has also drawn political attention as the state heads toward Assembly elections.
- Constitutional and Administrative Implications: While largely symbolic, changing a state’s name requires careful constitutional compliance and impacts official documents, schedules, and references in federal records once finalised through Parliament.
- Cultural and Linguistic Identity: Supporters argue that “Keralam” aligns more closely with the state’s Malayalam linguistic heritage and reflects its original historical name. The move has also drawn political attention as the state heads toward Assembly elections.
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Conclusion:
The Cabinet’s approval to rename Kerala as Keralam marks an important constitutional exercise in recognising regional identity and linguistic heritage. While the Cabinet’s nod is a critical step, final approval will depend on Parliament’s action after state and presidential recommendations under Article 3. This decision also underscores how India’s federal structure accommodates local aspirations within constitutional parameters.
