The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to change the name of the southern state of Kerala to ‘Keralam’. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The proposal was originally submitted by the Kerala government in 2024 under Article 3 of the Constitution of India, which empowers Parliament to alter the name, boundaries, or area of an existing state. Reacting to the Cabinet’s decision, the Prime Minister stated that the move reflects the will of the people of the state and aligns with efforts to strengthen cultural identity and heritage.
The demand to rename the state had earlier been endorsed twice by the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Resolutions were passed in 2023 and 2024 urging the Union government to amend the Constitution and officially change the name from Kerala to Keralam. Both resolutions were moved by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Support for the move also came from the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, with its Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar writing to the Chief Minister to extend backing for the proposal.
Origins of the Name ‘Keralam’:
- The term “Keralam” has deep historical and linguistic roots. In Malayalam, the official language of the state, the region has long been referred to as “Keralam.” Scholars trace the origin of the name to:
- ‘Kera’, meaning coconut tree, reflecting the state’s abundant coconut groves.
- References in ancient Tamil and Sanskrit texts, including Ashokan inscriptions and Sangam literature.
- The anglicised form “Kerala” became widely used during the colonial period, while “Keralam” remained the traditional name in Malayalam usage.
Process of Renaming a State:
Under Article 3 of the Constitution, the process for renaming a state involves:
- A proposal introduced in Parliament by the Central Government.
- The President referring the proposal to the concerned state legislature for its views.
- Parliament passing a law to effect the name change.
- If required, consequential amendments to the Constitution and official records.
With the Union Cabinet’s approval, the proposal will now move forward through the parliamentary process before the name change becomes official.