Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026
Why in news?
The Union Cabinet approved the proposal to rename the state of Kerala to Keralam in late February 2026. This follows a resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly on June 24, 2024.
Key Details
- Union Cabinet Approval: On 24 February 2026, the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal.
- Next Steps:
- The President of India will refer the Bill to the Kerala Legislative Assembly for its views, as required under Article 3 of the Constitution.
- After the Assembly’s response, the Bill will be introduced in Parliament for final approval.
- Background:
- The Kerala Legislative Assembly had passed resolutions in August 2023 and again on 24 June 2024, urging the central government to adopt Keralam—the name used in Malayalam—to better reflect the state’s cultural and linguistic identity.
- The move is seen as correcting a colonial-era naming convention.
- Political Context: The decision comes just ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, adding symbolic weight to the renaming process.
Why Keralam?
- Linguistic authenticity: Keralam is the original Malayalam pronunciation.
- Cultural identity: Aligns the state’s official name with its heritage.
- Symbolic correction: Moves away from anglicized versions introduced during colonial rule.
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