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Key Points
- The Kerala state assembly has unanimously passed a resolution to rename the state ‘Keralam.’
- The move aims to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution under Article 3.
- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized the cultural significance of the name ‘Keralam.’
- The resolution seeks to align official records with the common usage of the state’s name in Malayalam.
- The change reflects a broader trend of states seeking names that reflect their linguistic and cultural identities.
The Kerala state assembly has once again unanimously passed a resolution urging the central government to amend the Constitution and officially change the state’s name from ‘Kerala‘ to ‘Keralam.’ This decision came after the Union Home Ministry reviewed the initial resolution and suggested minor modifications.
On Monday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan moved the revised resolution, calling for actions under Article 3 of the Constitution to rename the state to ‘Keralam’ in the First Schedule. Highlighting the linguistic and cultural significance, Vijayan stated that ‘Keralam’ is the name used in Malayalam and has been a long-standing demand of the Malayalam-speaking communities since the national freedom struggle.
“The name of our state is written as Kerala in the First Schedule of the Constitution. This assembly requests the Centre to take immediate steps to amend it as ‘Keralam’ under Article 3 of the Constitution and have it renamed as ‘Keralam’ in all the languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution,” Vijayan emphasized.
The move to rename the state was first proposed on August 9 last year, when the state assembly passed a resolution asking the Centre to change the name to ‘Keralam.’ The initial resolution called for the renaming in the First Schedule of the Constitution and in all the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.
Upon further review, it was determined that the amendment was only required in the First Schedule. Hence, a new resolution with these corrections was presented and passed. Chief Minister Vijayan explained the necessity of this step, noting that while ‘Keralam’ is commonly used in Malayalam, the official records still refer to the state as ‘Kerala.’ This discrepancy was the driving force behind the resolution.
The resolution reflects a broader effort to align official nomenclature with the linguistic and cultural identity of the state. Kerala, known for its rich cultural heritage and linguistic pride, sees this change as a crucial step towards preserving and promoting its native language and traditions.
This initiative by the Kerala Assembly is part of a larger trend where states and regions seek to rename themselves to better reflect their local languages and cultural identities. The move by Kerala is expected to resonate with the citizens, reaffirming their cultural heritage and linguistic roots.
As the resolution awaits the Centre’s response, it underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting regional identities within the broader framework of the Indian Constitution. The Kerala Assembly’s unanimous decision highlights the collective will of the state’s representatives to see this significant change through.
