Major Development: Kerala Poised to Become Keralam as Union Cabinet Considers Approval
In a significant political development, the Union Cabinet is reportedly on the verge of green-lighting a long-standing proposal to officially rename the southern Indian state of Kerala to Keralam. Sources indicate that this pivotal decision might be finalized during a crucial cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday in New Delhi.
Key Cabinet Meeting Details and Venue
Anticipation surrounds Tuesday's cabinet gathering, with Union ministers reportedly advised to arrive ahead of schedule, hinting at a possible photo opportunity before deliberations commence. Notably, this will mark the inaugural cabinet meeting held at the newly designated Prime Minister's Office and Cabinet Secretariat complex, known as Seva Teerth. This fresh venue adds another layer of interest to an already significant agenda.
The Push from Kerala: A Legislative Resolution
This impending decision by the Centre follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala State Legislative Assembly in August 2023. The resolution formally urged the central government to initiate the necessary constitutional amendments to change the state's name from 'Kerala' to 'Keralam'.
Kerala's Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, spearheaded this resolution. He specifically called for actions under Article 3 of the Constitution to update the state's name within the First Schedule. Chief Minister Vijayan highlighted that 'Keralam' is the native term used in the Malayalam language, spoken by the state's majority population.
Historical and Linguistic Significance of 'Keralam'
The demand for a unified administrative region for Malayalam-speaking communities, under the name 'Keralam', has deep historical roots, stretching back to India's struggle for independence. The Chief Minister emphasized this heritage, stating, "While our state's name is currently listed as Kerala in the Constitution's First Schedule, this assembly implores the Centre to promptly amend it to 'Keralam' under Article 3. Furthermore, we request its recognition as 'Keralam' across all languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution."
Navigating the Constitutional Amendment Process
The resolution passed by the state assembly initially outlined several key requests for the Centre:
- To change the state's name to 'Keralam' in the First Schedule of the Constitution.
- To ensure the name 'Keralam' is reflected in all languages listed under the Eighth Schedule.
However, upon further detailed review and verification, it was determined that the required constitutional amendment specifically needed to be made only within the First Schedule of the Constitution. This clarification simplifies the legislative procedure for the proposed name change.
The potential approval marks a significant moment, aligning the state's official designation with its linguistic and cultural identity, a move long advocated by its people and leadership.
