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Parliament Passes Bill to Rename Kerala as Keralam, Amending
In a historic legislative move, both Houses of Parliament have passed the , officially renaming the State of Kerala as "Keralam." The cleared the Bill on , a day after the passed it, completing the constitutional process required under . The amendment alters the name of the state in the of the Constitution, reflecting the Malayalam term for the state, which has long been a demand from the .
The Bill, introduced by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, was passed by voice vote in the Upper House after a spirited debate that saw members from all parties supporting the change, albeit some with political caveats. The move marks the culmination of a process that began with a unanimous resolution by the in 2024, urging the Centre to adopt the state's own linguistic name.
Background: A Long-Standing Demand
The demand to rename Kerala as Keralam is deeply rooted in linguistic and cultural identity. Kerala's official name in Malayalam has always been "Keralam," but the Constitution had recorded it as "Kerala." The first passed a resolution in seeking the change in both the First and Eighth Schedules, but the later clarified that an amendment to the alone would suffice, as the pertains to languages, not state names.
A revised resolution was passed unanimously on , after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reintroduced the matter. The approved the proposal in , leading to the introduction of the Bill in the monsoon session. The President of India also referred the Bill to the under the , which allows for when state boundaries or names are altered. The Assembly approved the proposal again in , paving the way for parliamentary passage.
The Parliamentary Debate: Pride, Politics, and Protests
The debate in the was marked by cultural displays and political confrontations. Members from Kerala, including Union Minister Suresh Gopi, wore traditional attire—mundu, shirts, and jubbas—while Malayali MPs spoke in Malayalam, quoting literary figures like Vallathol and Sree Narayana Guru. A Malayalam song beginning with "Keralam" was even sung during the proceedings.
However, the absence of Home Minister Amit Shah, who was scheduled to pilot the Bill, drew sharp criticism from Opposition MPs. Congress member Jebi Mather Hisham questioned,
"As Kerala becomes Keralam, the Malayalis world over welcome that decision... At the same time, we ask together, where is the Home Minister?"
Her remarks were met with a demand by Leader of the House J.P. Nadda to expunge them, calling it a "political statement." Other Malayali MPs staged a walkout before the vote to protest Shah's absence.
The debate also saw demands for renaming other regions. BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya urged the government to rename West Bengal as "Paschimbanga," while RLM MP Upendra Kushwaha demanded Patna be renamed "Pataliputra." MoS Nityanand Rai assured that the government would consider such proposals if they followed the established process.
One contentious point was raised by Sadanandan Master of the CPI(M), who criticized the suspension of a teacher for including a quiz question about V.D. Savarkar. MoS Rai responded sharply, saying,
"Veer Savarkar is a name of dedication and sacrifice... If a teacher is dismissed for asking questions about him, there can be nothing worse than that."
This sparked protests from opposition benches.
Legal and Constitutional Significance
The renaming of a state under Article 3 of the Constitution involves a specific legal procedure. Article 3 requires that any bill affecting the name, area, or boundaries of a state be introduced in Parliament only on the recommendation of the President, and the President must refer the bill to the for its views within a specified period. The 's unanimous approval in underscored the state's strong support for the change.
The amendment to the is a technical but vital constitutional change. The enumerates the states and union territories of India; a name change requires a formal , which the bill achieves. The Bill does not affect the territorial extent or boundaries of the state; it solely changes the nomenclature in official records, notifications, and . Following the President's assent, the state will be officially referred to as "Keralam" in all central and state government communications.
Legal experts note that this is not the first time a state has been renamed. Previous examples include Madras to Tamil Nadu in 1969, and more recently, the renaming of Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Osmanabad to Dharashiv in Maharashtra. Each such change has followed the same constitutional path, reinforcing the principle of while respecting regional linguistic aspirations.
Political Repercussions and State Support
The passage of the Bill has been widely welcomed across the political spectrum, even though the debate exposed underlying tensions. DMK MP Tiruchi Siva recalled the renaming of Madras to Tamil Nadu, saying,
"We know the value of a name."
TMC's Derek O'Brien pointed out that West Bengal's proposal to change its name to "Bangla" has been pending for eight years, highlighting a perceived bureaucratic inertia. AAP's Sanjay Singh reminded the Centre to not just change the name but also "change your behaviour," referencing inadequate disaster relief funds.
IUML MP Haris Beeran hailed the state's secular credentials, stating that Kerala, despite not having a "double-engine" government, remains a
"vital part of the secular engine."
Government members saw the renaming as a step toward removing colonial-era symbols and honoring indigenous heritage. MoS Rai echoed this sentiment:
"The proposal to change the name of the State from Kerala to Keralam is not only a matter of pride for the people of Kerala but also for all Indians."
Implications for Legal Practice
For legal professionals, the renaming of Kerala to Keralam carries practical implications. All future , contracts, court pleadings, and government notifications will reference "State of Keralam" instead of "State of Kerala." Existing documents referencing "Kerala" will remain valid, but new legal instruments must adopt the updated nomenclature to avoid procedural objections. State and central courts will need to update their records, and law enforcement agencies, revenue departments, and title registries will have to align their databases.
Additionally, lawyers handling cases involving state-specific legislation or notifications should verify whether any names have been updated in official references. The change is purely nominal and does not affect the or , but it does require adjustments in administrative and legal documentation.
Conclusion
The passage of the , marks a significant moment in India's constitutional evolution. It reflects the democratic process of renaming states in accordance with linguistic and cultural identity, while adhering to the stringent requirements of Article 3. The unanimous support in both Houses, despite political sparring, underscores the broad consensus on this issue. As the state officially becomes Keralam, the move is expected to encourage other states to pursue similar name changes, fostering a deeper sense of pride and belonging among regional communities. For the legal community, the change is a reminder of the dynamic nature of constitutional law and the importance of staying updated with legislative amendments.
