Kerala's push to rename itself 'Keralam' explained

Kerala has long pursued a change in its official name to 'Keralam', rooted in linguistic and cultural significance. On Monday, the state assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Central government to formalize this change, marking the second such attempt after earlier suggestions from the Union Home Ministry.

Linguistic Heritage: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized that the name 'Keralam' is how the state is referred to in Malayalam, the native language of Kerala. The demand for this change reflects a historical aspiration dating back to the national freedom movement, aiming to unify Kerala under its Malayalam-speaking identity.

Constitutional Amendment: The resolution seeks amendments under Article 3 of the Constitution to officially rename the state to 'Keralam' across all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule. Currently, Kerala is formally recognized as such in the First Schedule of the Constitution.

Legislative Process: Previously, the state assembly had passed a similar unanimous resolution in August of the previous year. However, technical adjustments were suggested by the Union Home Ministry, leading to a renewed effort to refine the resolution for broader acceptance.

Political Consensus: The latest resolution garnered support from members across the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), underscoring bipartisan agreement on the cultural significance and unity associated with the name change.

Kerala's endeavor to rename itself 'Keralam' underscores its commitment to honoring linguistic and cultural roots embedded in the Malayalam language. As the state moves forward with constitutional procedures, the resolution stands as a testament to Kerala's identity and historical legacy.