Kerala Assembly bats for ‘Keralam,’ over Kerala, passes resolution

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Legislative Assembly has adopted a resolution with unanimous support, urging the Central Government to officially change the name of the state to 'Keralam'.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the resolution, highlighting the cultural and linguistic significance of the proposed name change.

Speaking in the assembly, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized the importance of aligning the state's name with its native language, Malayalam. He traced the historical roots of the name 'Keralam' and pointed out that the state's identity has long been tied to its linguistic heritage.

"The name 'Keralam' resonates deeply with our language, our culture, and our history. It reflects the spirit of unity among Malayalam-speaking communities that has been evident since the time of our national freedom struggle," Chief Minister Vijayan stated.

“This Assembly unanimously requests the Union Government to take immediate steps to amend it as 'Keralam' under Article 3 of the Constitution and it is renamed as 'Keralam' in all the languages mentioned in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution,” said Speaker AN Shamseer.

Kerala, known for its rich cultural tapestry and strong regional identity, has often celebrated its linguistic diversity and unique heritage. The resolution seeks to reinforce this sentiment by aligning the state's official name with its linguistic roots.

The date of November 1, 1956, holds special significance in Kerala's history as it marked the formation of the state based on linguistic lines. Additionally, November 1 is celebrated as Kerala Day, adding another layer of importance to the proposed name change.

The resolution cites Article 3 of the Constitution, which empowers the Central Government to alter the name of a state. The unanimous call from the Kerala Assembly has now placed the ball in the Centre's court, urging it to take immediate steps to amend the state's name to 'Keralam'.

The resolution has garnered widespread support from various political parties, cultural organizations, and citizens across Kerala. Many see this move as a step toward preserving and promoting the state's linguistic and cultural heritage.

As discussions and debates unfold surrounding this resolution, all eyes are now on the Central Government to gauge its response to this historic appeal. The potential name change could not only reflect Kerala's linguistic identity but also set a precedent for other states to reaffirm their cultural roots.