In a significant move ahead of key elections, the Union Cabinet chaired by Narendra Modi has approved the proposal to officially rename Kerala as “Keralam.”
The decision, taken during a Cabinet meeting at the newly inaugurated Seva Teerth complex in New Delhi, follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly in June 2024. The resolution had urged the Centre to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution under Article 3 to reflect the state’s name as “Keralam” — the term used in Malayalam.
Why the Name Change?
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had argued that the state is historically and culturally known as “Keralam” in Malayalam. He pointed out that the demand for a unified Kerala for Malayalam-speaking people dates back to the freedom movement.
The Assembly had earlier passed a similar resolution in 2023, but after suggestions from the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding technical modifications, it was adopted again in 2024.
With the Cabinet’s approval, the constitutional amendment process now moves forward.
Tharoor’s Linguistic Twist
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor reacted with characteristic wit.
Taking to social media, Tharoor welcomed the move but raised a playful linguistic concern: what would English speakers now call residents of the state?
“‘Keralamite’ sounds like a microbe and ‘Keralamian’ like a rare earth mineral,” he quipped, suggesting perhaps a competition should be launched to coin new terms.
His comment quickly gained traction online, sparking debates over identity, language, and political timing.
Political Timing Under Spotlight
The renaming comes months before Assembly elections expected in April–May. While supporters call it a long-overdue cultural correction, critics see political symbolism in the timing.
Name changes in India often carry emotional and electoral weight. From Bombay to Mumbai and Madras to Chennai, such shifts have historically signalled assertions of linguistic and regional pride.
What Happens Next?
To officially implement the change, the Constitution’s First Schedule must be amended. Once completed, “Keralam” would replace “Kerala” across all official records and languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.
For now, the debate continues — part cultural pride, part political chess move, and part linguistic comedy.
One thing is certain: “Keralam” is no longer just a sentiment. It’s heading toward constitutional reality.
