Kochi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the decision to change the name of Kerala to “Keralam”, saying that the name is in line with Malayali culture and tradition. He said that it reflects the true identity of the state and will further strengthen the connection with the cultural roots of the people. The proposal to change the name of Kerala to “Keralam” has been approved by the Central Government Cabinet.
How was the decision to change the name of Kerala taken?
The proposal to change the name of Kerala to “Keralaam” was approved by the central government cabinet in February 2026. This proposal came on the basis of the recommendation of the Kerala government. In fact, the Kerala Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution in June 2024 urging the Center to officially change the name of the state to “Keralam”. After this, the Home Ministry considered the proposal and placed it before the Cabinet and approved it.
Why was the demand for the name ‘Keralaam’ raised?
State leaders and cultural organizations have long maintained that the real name of the state in Malayalam is “Keralaam”. The name “Kerala” in English became popular during the colonial period. Therefore, the demand for making the name official in accordance with the local language and cultural identity kept arising from time to time. Experts believe that this change is an attempt to better reflect the linguistic heritage of the state.
What will be the constitutional process for changing the name?
To change the name of a state, the approval of the Parliament is required under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution. After the approval of the cabinet, now the “Kerala (Change of Name) Bill” will be introduced in the parliament with the recommendation of the president. Before this, the proposal is also formally sent to the state assembly so that it can give its opinion on it. The state will be officially named “Keralaam” only after the bill is passed by the Parliament.
Why did the PM call the decision important?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the decision reflects the sentiments of the people of the state and respects the diversity of Indian culture. Calling it a “perfect name in line with Malayali culture”, he said the government is committed to taking such steps to strengthen the linguistic and cultural heritage of the country. Modi also said that the decision is an important initiative towards respecting India’s diverse identity and local traditions.
What was the reaction at political and social level?
The proposal to rename the state as “Keralaam” has been described by many political parties and social organizations as a step related to cultural identity. Some leaders called it a solution to a long-standing demand, while some opposition leaders have also expressed different opinions on the issue. However, most of the responses revealed that this step is being considered important towards strengthening the linguistic heritage and historical identity of the state.
In this way, the proposal to change the name from “Kerala” to “Keralaam” is being considered not just as an administrative change but as a symbolic step related to language, history and cultural identity, the impact of which is also visible in the political and social discussion of the state.
