Union Cabinet Approves Renaming Kerala to Keralam — History, Linguistic Roots and What Happens Next
The Union Cabinet has cleared the proposal to rename the Indian state of Kerala as Keralam, endorsing a long-standing demand rooted in the state’s linguistic identity. The move now advances under constitutional procedure before Parliament finalises the change.
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved the proposal to change the name of Kerala to Keralam — a name that reflects the traditional and native Malayalam form of the name.
Historical and Linguistic Roots
The demand to rename Kerala as Keralam stems from longstanding cultural and linguistic aspirations. Supporters argue that:
-
The word Keralam is the indigenous Malayalam name for the region, historically used in the language of the local people.
-
The current English spelling Kerala appeared in the Constitution’s First Schedule after the linguistic reorganisation of Indian states on November 1, 1956 — Kerala Piravi Day.
-
State leaders contend that altering the name honours the region’s identity and aligns official usage with its local language heritage.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed resolutions in 2023 and again in 2024 urging the Centre to amend the Constitution under Article 3, which governs name changes for states. The Home Ministry reviewed and approved the revised resolution before it was taken up by the Cabinet.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
