The Union Cabinet has given the green light to rename Kerala as ‘Keralam’, setting the stage for a constitutional amendment in Parliament and sparking a new round of political discussions. This move has been welcomed by the BJP, emphasizing the recognition of the state’s cultural and linguistic heritage. On the other hand, the Congress has raised concerns about a perceived “dual policy,” pointing out the disparity in addressing similar renaming requests, such as that of West Bengal.
The decision to rename Kerala was backed by the Union Cabinet just ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state. Kerala had previously passed resolutions in August 2023 and June 2024, urging the Centre to amend the Constitution to reflect the name ‘Keralam,’ which aligns with the Malayalam pronunciation of the state’s name. While Kerala’s proposal progresses, the spotlight has shifted to the unresolved renaming demands from West Bengal, triggering fresh debates and criticisms.
The issue has reignited discussions on the long-pending request to rename West Bengal, which has seen proposals like “Pashchim Bongo,” “Bongo,” and most recently “Bangla.” Despite these efforts, none have secured approval from the Centre, with the 2018 proposal to rename the state as “Bangla” still pending. The renaming process for Kerala will now advance through constitutional procedures, with the President of India forwarding a Bill to the Kerala Assembly for its input, followed by the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution, listing state names.
