In 2025, the Legislative Assembly of Keralam reiterated its demand to officially rename the state from “Kerala” to “Keralam.” This resolution, first passed on June 24, 2024, was emphasized again in 2025, urging the central government to amend the Constitution and recognize the state by its native name.
Key Points on the Keralam Resolution
- Second attempt at renaming: The Assembly’s resolution followed earlier suggestions from the Union Home Ministry for minor changes.
- Chief Minister’s proposal: The resolution sought to rename the state as Keralam in the First Schedule of the Constitution under Article 3.
- Article 3 provisions: This article empowers the Centre to alter state names, requiring amendments in both the First Schedule and Article 1.
- Cultural significance: The Chief Minister emphasized that Keralam is the authentic Malayalam term, a demand rooted in the freedom struggle.
- Initial proposal: The plan originally aimed to amend names in all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule to “Keralam.”
- Shift in focus: Following Union Home Ministry advice, the emphasis moved to amending only the First Schedule.
Why Rename Kerala to Keralam?
- Keralam as the native term: “Kerala” is the anglicized version of the Malayalam word Keralam.
- Historical roots: Emperor Ashoka’s Rock Edict II (257 BCE) mentions “Keralaputra,” meaning “son of Kerala,” referring to the Chera dynasty.
- Cultural identity: The name change reflects the deep linguistic and cultural heritage of the Malayalam-speaking community.
Historical Demand for Keralam
- 1920s movement: The demand for a united Malayalam-speaking state began in the 1920s, aiming to integrate Travancore, Cochin, and Malabar.
- Travancore-Cochin integration: On July 1, 1949, the two princely states merged.
- State Reorganisation Commission: Recommended including Malabar and Kasargod in the Malayalam-speaking state.
- Exclusions: Four southern taluks of Travancore and parts of Shenkottai were excluded, later joining Tamil Nadu.
- Formation of Kerala: On November 1, 1956, the state was officially created, though the native name Keralam remained unrecognized.
Process of Renaming a State to Keralam
- Parliamentary authority: Parliament holds the power to change state names.
- Initiation: The process can begin in either Parliament or the state assembly.
- Resolution submission: The state legislature sends a resolution to the Centre.
- Presidential recommendation: A bill cannot be introduced in Parliament without the President’s approval.
Procedure
- Affected states’ input: Legislatures of impacted states must be consulted.
- 5th Amendment Act, 1955: Added the provision for state legislatures to present views.
- Non-binding suggestions: Parliament is not obligated to follow state legislature opinions.
- Final deliberation: After consultation or time expiry, the bill returns to Parliament for debate.
Passing the Bill for Keralam
- Presidential approval: Once signed, the bill becomes law and the state’s name is modified.
- No Objection Certificates: Required from agencies like Railways, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, Survey of India, and Registrar General of India.
- Union Home Ministry consent: After receiving NOCs, the Ministry approves the resolution.
Article 3 of the Constitution
- Formation of new states
- Alteration of boundaries
- Change of names
Article 3 empowers Parliament to form new states, alter boundaries, and rename existing states—making it the key provision for recognizing Keralam officially.
Historical Context of State Formation
- Post-independence divisions: India was divided into Part A, B, C, and D states.
- State Reorganisation Act, 1956: Adjusted boundaries on linguistic lines, creating states like Andhra Pradesh, Bombay, and Kerala.
- Public demand: Despite initial rejection of language as a basis, strong movements in South India led to linguistic states.
- Chronology of new states: From Andhra Pradesh in 1953 to Telangana in 2014, India’s map evolved to reflect cultural identities.
Conclusion
The push to rename Kerala as Keralam is more than a linguistic correction—it is a cultural reclamation. Rooted in history, language, and identity, the demand reflects the aspirations of the Malayalam-speaking community to see their state recognized by its authentic name.
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