Union Cabinet Greenlights Kerala to Keralam Name Change
In a significant move, the Union Cabinet has given its approval to a proposal to change the name of the state of Kerala to 'Keralam.' This decision sets in motion the constitutional process required for such an alteration, as reported by ddnews. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marks a pivotal step in formalizing the name change that has been long sought by the state.
Constitutional Process and Historical Context
The proposed legislation, known as the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, will now be referred by the President of India to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views. This procedure is mandated under Article 3 of the Constitution, which governs changes to state names, boundaries, or territories. Importantly, the Bill cannot be presented in Parliament without the President's approval, and the President must first seek the opinions of the relevant State Legislature within a specified timeframe.
The push for this change originates from a resolution unanimously adopted by the Kerala Legislative Assembly on June 24, 2024. The Assembly emphasized that 'Keralam' is the name used in the Malayalam language and highlighted that states were reorganized on linguistic lines on November 1, 1956—a date celebrated annually as Kerala Piravi. The proposal underwent thorough examination by the Ministry of Home Affairs, with consultations involving the Department of Legal Affairs and the Legislative Department under the Ministry of Law and Justice. Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved the matter before it was presented to the Cabinet.
If Parliament passes the Bill, it will lead to an amendment of the First Schedule of the Constitution, replacing 'Kerala' with 'Keralam.' This change aims to align the state's official name with its linguistic and cultural identity.
Five Other Prominent Renamings in Recent Years
India has witnessed several notable renaming initiatives in recent times, reflecting efforts to shed colonial legacies and embrace indigenous heritage. Here are five key examples:
- Rajpath to Kartavya Path: In September 2022, the Government of India renamed Rajpath in New Delhi to Kartavya Path, ahead of the inauguration of the revamped Central Vista Avenue. The New Delhi Municipal Council approved this change, with the new name meaning 'Path of Duty,' symbolizing a move away from colonial-era symbolism.
- Allahabad to Prayagraj: In October 2018, the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved renaming Allahabad to Prayagraj. The city holds immense historical and religious significance, particularly for the Kumbh Mela. Originally named Ilahabad by Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16th century, it was later changed to Allahabad. The renaming to 'Prayagraj' restores its original name, 'Prayag,' denoting its status as a sacred confluence.
- Gurgaon to Gurugram: In 2016, the Haryana government changed the name of Gurgaon to Gurugram. This alteration was intended to reflect the city's historical connection with Guru Dronacharya from the epic Mahabharata, thereby reclaiming its mythological and historical identity.
- Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar: In 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs approved renaming Aurangabad in Maharashtra to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The city's naming history dates back to 1610 when it was called Khadki by Malik Ambar, later renamed Fatehnagar, and then Aurangabad after Mughal emperor Aurangzeb annexed the region in 1653. The decision was cleared during the Eknath Shinde government's tenure, following an earlier proposal by the previous state government.
- Mughal Gardens to Amrit Udyan: The iconic Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan were renamed Amrit Udyan. Announced as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations marking 75 years of India's Independence, this change aligns with efforts to reflect Indian identity and heritage in public spaces.
These renaming initiatives underscore a broader trend in India to reassert cultural and historical narratives, moving towards names that resonate with local languages and traditions. The Kerala to Keralam change, if finalized, will join this list as a testament to the ongoing evolution of India's geographical identity.
