The Union Cabinet has approved a long-pending proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam officially. The decision follows repeated resolutions passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly. The state government had urged the Centre to formalise the traditional Malayalam name.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision during a media briefing on Tuesday. Consequently, the move marks a significant step toward restoring what the state calls its original identity.
Assembly’s Repeated Resolutions
The Kerala Legislative Assembly first passed a resolution in 2023 seeking the name change. Later, it renewed the resolution in June 2024 due to technical issues. Lawmakers argued that the name “Keralam” better reflects the state’s linguistic heritage.
Furthermore, they maintained that the traditional name aligns more closely with historic identity and cultural roots. According to the Assembly, the change carries symbolic importance rather than administrative consequences.
Last month, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan publicly supported the proposal in a letter to Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar. In his response, Vijayan stated that the state’s original name was Keralam. He argued that the British had altered it to Kerala for administrative convenience.
“The changes made by them are being rectified and the real name is being restored,” Vijayan wrote in the letter. He added that the move aligns with the cultural ethos of the state. Therefore, the Chief Minister framed the proposal as a restoration rather than a modification.
Constitutional Process to Follow
With Cabinet approval in place, the constitutional procedure will now begin. Altering the name of a state requires action under Article 3 of the Constitution. Additionally, the First Schedule of the Constitution must be updated to reflect the change.
Importantly, the process involves formal legislative steps at the national level. Parliament will consider the necessary amendments before final approval. Therefore, while the Cabinet decision represents progress, the legal transition will follow established procedures.
Officials have clarified that the proposed change remains symbolic in nature. It will not alter administrative structures or governance mechanisms. Moreover, territorial boundaries and institutional frameworks will remain intact.
The government emphasised that the decision does not affect day-to-day operations. Instead, it seeks to align official nomenclature with cultural and linguistic identity. Consequently, citizens will not experience structural disruptions due to the change.
Cultural and Political Context
Name restoration debates have surfaced in various parts of India in recent years. Supporters often frame such changes as corrections of colonial legacy. Similarly, Kerala’s proposal reflects a broader emphasis on cultural authenticity.
However, critics have occasionally questioned the necessity of symbolic renaming. In this case, the Assembly maintained consistent support across resolutions. Therefore, the state government presented a unified stance before the Centre.
The Cabinet’s approval now signals acknowledgement of the state’s request. Meanwhile, observers expect Parliament to take up the formal process in due course.
What Lies Ahead
As the constitutional mechanism unfolds, officials will draft the required amendments. Parliament will debate and consider the proposal before implementation. Once completed, official records will reflect the new name Keralam.
Until then, administrative functioning will continue unchanged. Nevertheless, the decision carries significant cultural meaning for many residents. It represents an effort to reaffirm linguistic heritage within the constitutional framework.
Ultimately, the move underscores the Centre’s willingness to respond to state resolutions. While symbolic, the renaming initiative reflects ongoing conversations about identity, history and representation.
