Kerala’s quest for linguistic identity
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Why Keralam is on the dot.
By Shubham Arya
On 24 February 2026, the union cabinet approved the proposal to rename the state of Kerala as Keralam, the name traditionally used in the Malayalam language. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The move comes nearly two years after the Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on 24 June 2024, requesting the change. The proposal will now be introduced in Parliament as the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026. Under Article 3 of the Constitution, such a Bill requires the President’s recommendation and must be referred to the concerned state legislature for its views before being taken up in Parliament.
Former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated during the resolution of 24 June 2024: "The name of Kerala in the Malayalam language is Keralam." It emphasised that the states were reorganised linguistically on 1 November 1956 (Kerala Piravi), yet the Constitution's First Schedule lists "Kerala" instead of "Keralam," contrary to the state's linguistic identity and public aspiration.
Why This Title Fits
In the 1920s, Malayalam speakers across fragmented regions—Malabar (British), Travancore, and Cochin (princely states)—launched the Aikya (unified) Kerala movement for political unity based on shared language and culture. Inspired by India's freedom struggle, it gained momentum post-Independence. Travancore and Cochin merged into Travancore-Cochin on 1 July 1949. The States Reorganisation Act, 1956, created Kerala on 1 November 1956 (Kerala Piravi), by adding Malabar district and Kasaragod taluk, excluding southern Travancore areas now in Tamil Nadu. Named "Kerala" in English/Constitution despite Malayalam "Keralam," sparking the long-standing demand for alignment.
Legal Provision
Under Article 3 of the Constitution, Parliament has the power to form new states, alter their boundaries, or change their names. Article 3(e) specifically provides that Parliament may change the name of any state by law.
Such a law is passed by a simple majority in the ordinary legislative process. However, a Bill for this purpose can be introduced in Parliament only on the recommendation of the President. Before the Bill is introduced, the President must refer it to the concerned state legislature for expressing its views within a specified period. Importantly, the state’s consent is not mandatory.
Even if the state legislature disagrees or does not respond within the prescribed time, Parliament can still proceed with the Bill. This provision reflects the strong centralising features of the Indian Constitution. Because of such powers vested in Parliament, constitutional scholar KC Wheare described the Indian Constitution as “quasi-federal” in nature, with a strong Centre.
Article 3 empowers Parliament to alter state boundaries, areas, or names unilaterally, treating states as "destructible" units of an "indestructible Union." State legislature views are advisory only, not binding, reinforcing Parliament's dominance in renaming processes.
Several Indian states have undergone successful name changes through parliamentary legislation under Article 3. For instance, Madras State was renamed Tamil Nadu in 1969, reflecting its Dravidian linguistic identity. Similarly, Uttaranchal became Uttarakhand in 2006 to honour its regional and cultural heritage. These examples illustrate Parliament's authority, providing a precedent for the recent ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam’ transition.
Shubham Arya is a student at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, Punjab.
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