Kerala To Become ‘Keralam’ After Cabinet Approval

On Tuesday, the Union Cabinet gave its nod to the Kerala government’s request to officially change the state’s name to “Keralam”. The approval involves amending the First Schedule of the Constitution under Article 3. This step follows a unanimous resolution adopted by the Kerala Assembly on June 24, 2024, after an earlier version passed in August 2023 was modified based on technical observations from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

While moving the resolution, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized that “Keralam” is the name used in Malayalam and reflects the state’s cultural and linguistic identity. He also sought that once amended, the revised name should appear in all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

The development drew a light-hearted reaction from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. In a social media post, he wondered how English speakers would refer to people from the state if the name changes officially. Playing with words, he remarked that opinions like “Keralamite” or “Keralamian” might sound awkward and humorously suggested holding a contest to decide a suitable term.

The Centre’s approval comes at a time when the state is preparing for Assembly elections, which are likely to be held in April-May.