Kerala to Keralam: Constitutional Procedure, Cultural Identity and Federal Dimensions

Why in the News ?

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to rename the State of Kerala as Keralam, reflecting the linguistic and cultural identity of the Malayalam-speaking population.

The proposed Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 will now be referred to the Kerala Legislative Assembly under Article 3 of the Constitution, after which Parliament will consider amending the First Schedule.

The move follows unanimous resolutions passed by the Kerala Assembly in 2023 and 2024 and is viewed as an assertion of linguistic identity and historical continuity.

Background and Context

The State of Kerala was formed on 1 November 1956 following the linguistic reorganisation of states. While the English name “Kerala” is used in the Constitution, the name in Malayalam is “Keralam.”

The First Schedule of the Constitution lists the state as “Kerala,” creating a linguistic discrepancy between constitutional nomenclature and native usage. The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed resolutions seeking correction of this name to reflect historical and cultural authenticity.

A similar renaming attempt was made in 2023, but technical discrepancies required a fresh resolution in 2024, leading to the present proposal.

Procedure for Renaming a State

Constitutional/Legal Basis

Article 3 of the Constitution empowers Parliament to:

• Form new states
• Alter boundaries
• Change names of existing states

Steps Involved

1. Proposal initiated by the State Government.
2. Examination by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
3. Consultation with agencies such as:
   • Intelligence Bureau
   • Survey of India
   • Registrar General of India
   • Department of Posts
   • Ministry of Railways
4. The President refers the Bill to the State Legislature for its views.
5. Introduction and passage of the Bill in Parliament.
6. Presidential assent and official notification.

Current Status

• The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal.
• The President will refer the Bill to the Kerala Assembly.
• After receiving the Assembly’s views, the Bill will be introduced in Parliament for amendment of the First Schedule.

Rationale Behind Renaming

1. Linguistic Identity

Kerala was created during the linguistic reorganisation of states. “Keralam” is the original Malayalam name. Kerala Piravi Day commemorates the formation of the state on 1 November 1956.

2. Constitutional Discrepancy

The Assembly resolutions sought to align the constitutional name with local linguistic usage.

3. Correction of Technical Issues

The 2023 resolution attempted modifications across all Eighth Schedule languages, which led to procedural discrepancies. A revised resolution in 2024 corrected these issues.

Historical Background

Origin of the Name “Keralam”

Several theories exist:

• Mention in Ashoka Rock Edict II as Keralaputra, linked to the Chera dynasty.
• Derived from Cheram, referring to the ancient Chera kingdom.
• German scholar Hermann Gundert linked “Keralam” to Cheram meaning “joined land,” with “Alam” denoting land or region.

Movement for a Unified Kerala

Aikya Kerala Movement

• Began in the 1920s.
• Demanded unification of Malayalam-speaking regions: Malabar, Kochi, Travancore.

Formation of Kerala

• Travancore and Kochi merged in 1949.
• The State Reorganisation Commission recommended formation of Kerala.
• Kerala officially came into existence on 1 November 1956.

Administrative and Political Dimensions

Union Cabinet Decision

The name change was approved at the first Cabinet meeting held at Seva Teerth (new PMO complex). The decision is projected as reflecting the “will of the people” and has received cross-party support within Kerala.

Seva Sankalp Resolution

The Cabinet adopted a governance pledge inspired by “Nagrik Devo Bhava,” emphasising:

• Citizen-centric governance
• Transparency
• Service orientation

Concerns and Significance

Concerns/Challenges

1. Administrative Adjustments
   • Changes required in official documents, maps, educational materials, surveys, and government records.
2. Precedents
   • The 2018 proposal to rename West Bengal as “Bangla” did not materialise due to objections over similarity with Bangladesh.
3. Political Timing
   • The decision precedes Kerala Assembly elections, inviting political interpretations.

Significance

1. Cultural Assertion

Reinforces linguistic federalism and strengthens regional identity within the Union.

2. Federalism Dimension

Demonstrates cooperative federalism:

• State initiative
• Central approval
• Parliamentary enactment

3. Historical Continuity

Aligns constitutional nomenclature with historical and linguistic traditions.